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
development, the above referenced change will only help
in the near-term. Ultimately, in the long-term (2 to
5 years) a significant source of ongoing revenue would
be needed to invest in projects with multiple
beneficiaries, to assist rural Colorado water providers
and agriculture, and to provide funds for additional
environmental and recreation enhancements associated
with water resource development and protection. CWCB
does not have a recommendation at this time to pursue
this more comprehensive funding strategy.
11.5 The Path Forward
The action word in Statewide Water Supply Initiative is
"initiative."
decisions to be made and parts of the state need to take
action sooner than others, but realistically, none of these
tough decisions or actions can be made overnight or in
an atmosphere of crisis.
11.5.1 The 80 Percent Solution for M&I
SWSI has catalogued the specific projects, plans, and
processes that local water suppliers have identified and
are undertaking as components of their own water supply
planning efforts to meet the needs they themselves have
identified. As a whole, if these projects are implemented,
80 percent of the state's long-term M&I needs will be
met. This is the most optimistic scenario. But is there
uncertainty, and hurdles to overcome?
While the CWCB was directed to complete SWSI and
deliver its findings and recommendations to the General
Assembly in 18 months, implementing SWSI will take
years and decades. The state and its partners must now
slow from a sprint and pace themselves for a longer-term
effort. Helping ensure Colorado's water future is a
complex and difficult challenge. Addressing our water
future means that we must ensure the social, economic,
and cultural health and integrity of all of our river basins.
This is a daunting challenge and it will require creative
solutions, dedication, and persistence.
As with its own Strategic Plan, the CWCB should identify
its SWSI mission and specific goals that can be
accomplished with the help of both the supporters and
opponents of the SWSI process and state involvement in
water planning.
These goals should be met by developing sound
implementable objectives that can be met regularly over
a longer term if SWSI's success is to be capitalized on.
We now know, based on Basin Roundtable information,
Colorada can pot~nti~lly meet 80 percent of its M&I
water needs by 2030; however, some water suppliers
may need help building infrastructure, mitigating and
permitting projects, enhancing and improving the
environment, and conserving water. We also now
know that the state can reassure the General Assembly
and other state decisionmakers to an extent never before
possible that we are not facing an immediate water crisis,
but long-term challenges. There are certainly some tough
~
$~ole'ri~ice Wo~e' $upplY Initia~ive
Therefore, the mission of the state with respect to
meeting 80 percent of our M&I water needs by 2030
should be:
Following the lead of local water suppliers, the state
will monitor long-term water needs, provide technical
and financial assistance to put the necessary plans,
projects and programs in place to meet those needs,
and foster cooperation to avoid being forced to make
trade-offs that would otherwise harm Colorado's
environment, lifestyle, culture, and economy.
The goals of this mission are to:
F~Il~wr th~ I~~d ~f lo~~l w~t~r ~uppli~r~. In order
for the CWCB to follow, local water suppliers must
not only lead, but also must share information and be
inclusive so that state leaders can confidently make
decisions and provide the support required to ensure
the fourth goal can be met.
Monitar long-term water n~~d~. One of the major
hurdles faced was the difficulty in collecting water use
and water planning data. Our information about
agricultural water use comes from statistics, water
commissioner records, and aerial and satellite
imagery that demonstrate that over time growing
patterns and crops change over geographic areas.
The state has even less information to share that is
provided on a regular basis about M&I water use and
demand. We must develop a better system that still
protects water rights holders.
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