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Arkansas Basin Roundtable Technical Meeting #2 Meeting Summary Public Comments All public attendees at the BRT meeting were offered an opportunity to comment or ask questions of the SWSI team and BRT members as part of the evening session of the BRT meeting. A general summary of the public comment portion of the meeting is summarized below. . There is a stream management agreement between Aurora, Southeast Colorado Water Conservancy District, and Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District that includes a softening pool in Pueblo Reservoir for the 1874 call. Look at increasing the 3,000 AF pool to 10,000 AF. There is a replacement pool in the upper basin where water can be stored in wet years and Aurora gets some yield in dry years. This will help provide recreational flows through Pueblo. . A river watcher stated that he has seen a reduction in birds and animals due to reduction in flows. Need to address needs of wildlife and birds to protect cultural values. Riparian corridors need to be considered. . A local resident voiced concern about water issues - Need to safeguard agricultural interests over the next 25 years - Pueblo residents concerned about being asked to share their water - Water, not land use, will be the driving issue for this state - Troubled with industrial utilization of water; water is a finite resource. - Need more public discussion on projects, including Southern Delivery System. - Public not informed of SWSI meetings, no press releases. - SWSI group can unify Colorado - Need to explore federal resources and opportunities . A commenter indicated an interest in seeing a self-sustaining fish population in the reach below Pueblo Dam to Fountain Creek. and concern about daily fluctuations and associated effects on recreational/ environmental uses. . A participant suggested that SWSI look at increasing water supply by decreasing demand through conservation, conservation planning . A commenter noted that the 1930s drought was more severe than the current/recent drought, and then made the following points: - We are losing Colorado River water to downstream states - Legislature should put something on ballot authorizing Big Straw through 1 percent sales tax - Use Big Straw or Little Straw to pump water back to Cameo gage for Grand Valley users- state is entitled to the water in the Colorado River - Even with snowpack at 90 percent, Twin Lakes was called out by Cameo on August 6th - normally doesn't happen until September . A commenter voiced concern that BRT members are asked to make decisions with very little information, and that the validity of process is in doubt. . Another commenter stated that public outreach is of concern. Need to get the word out; grass roots organizations can help. Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News are interested in writing stories. CDIVI 7 Arkansas BRT Mtg #2 Summary.doc 4/7/2004