S11_11-15-04

• Basin: Statewide
• Title: SWSI Phase 1 Report - Section 11 Implementation
• Date: 11/15/2004
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI - Doc Type: Final Report

Section 11
Implementation
projects in a fiscally prudent manner. Costs attributed to
water acquisition, storage, treatment, transportation,
project mitigation, and other factors are rolled into a rate
structure that finances these projects. There is currently
no mechanism for rolling costs related to recreational or
environmental enhancements unrelated to specific
project mitigation into that equation.
One ongoing activity that should include the Board and
its staff is a dialogue about whether a consensus can be
developed regarding potential payment mechanisms to
account for environmental and recreational
enhancements. These recommendations could be
presented to the CWCB and/or the State Legislature for
action. In addition, the CWCB should:
^ Utilize the list of identified projects and processes to
conduct outreach and education regarding the
CWCB's loan program and other fiscal services
available to water users and interest groups.
11.6.3 Water Supply Protection Tasks
The Water Supply Protection Program is directed by
statutory requirements for the CWCB to protect the
authority, interests, and rights of the state and its citizens
in matters pertaining to interstate waters of the State of
Colorado. Under these statutes, the CWCB is required to
cooperate with federal agencies and other states to
better utilize the waters of the State of Colorado, develop
legislation to secure greater beneficial utilization of these
waters, and recommend mitigation to maintain a balance
between water development and protection of the state's
fish and wildlife resources.
One of the most commonly asked questions during the
SWSI process was how much water is available to the
state to develop. While on its face this is a seemingly
simple question, the answer is far more elusive. Indeed,
the inability to answer that question has been a source of
frustration for many.
^ Analyze how the state could help meet the need for
rural water supply delivery systems.
^ Categorize, target and prioritize financial assistance.
"Major" water suppliers don't need or want state
involvement, smaller entities can't succeed without it.
^ Identify how much financial assistance should be set
aside annually to help targeted entities get the
technical assistance they need for projects and
programs, whether from the state or private entities
such as engineering consulting firms.
^ Make recommendations to the Board about the need
for future project reconnaissance and feasibility
studies that can aid the state in meeting needs,
without simply relying on water suppliers to request
such support.
^ Build higher awareness of existing state and federal
loan and grant programs, and assessing the need to
expand or revise them.
^ Identify and exploit federal funding opportunities.
~
$~ole'ri~ice Wo~e' $upplY Initia~ive
There are two principal reasons why SWSI has not yet
produced an agreed upon answer to that question. First,
there are many variables related to supply, and no
consistency among water interests in how to define each
variable. These include:
^ Existing water rights.
^ Current and future water demands.
^ Conditional water rights.
^ Hydrologic conditions.
^ Compact interpretations.
^ Federallaws.
^ Operations of existing and future facilities.
^ Endangered species.
^ Environmental and recreational needs.
We need to develop a common understanding of each of
these variables before this question can be answered in
a manner where there is more agreement.
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