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Section 5 Addressing the Water Supply Gap Technical Roundtable The Million Conservation Resource Group bas stated it would like to start construction within the next few years. However, potential delays associated with developing a customer base, interstate compact complications, financing, permitting, technical, political, and other issues are likely. Agreements with end water users have not been identified. Concerns have been raised by certain water users in Colorado regarding supply availability, potential impacts on existing Colorado water rights and administration of this water right. Among other concerns, the potential diversion within a National Wildlife Refuge, coupled with potential impacts to federal endangered fish species downstream of the proposed diversion sites, are significant issues that could impact the implementation schedule or affect the viability of this project. As with any new west slope consumptive use, the issue of supply availability and other considerations would be required before a determination could be made on available yield for this project. The following are some of the key considerations when examining the project elements, benefits, potential implementation issues and potential attributes for this alternative. Project Elements ~ Pump from Flaming Gorge Reservoir via 400 mile pipeline aligned along Interstate 80 in Wyoming to Colorado's Front Range. ~ Additional storage in Front Range ordirecttie-in to provider systems. Benefits: ~ Minimize loss of irrigated acres in South Platte and Arkansas Basins. ~ Acceptable quality water source that may not require advanced water treatment processes. ~ Maximizes State of Colorado's Colorado River Compact entitlement without impacting streamflows in Colorado. Implementation Issues: ~ Potential downstream endangered fishes and depletion issues. ~ Enlargement or construction of additional storage in South Platte or Arkansas. ~ Large energy requirements. ~ Potential for increased compact call. ~ Coordinated administration of water rights in the event of a compact call. Potential Attributes: ~ Delivery to in-basin users for agricultural, domestic augmentation, andinstreamflows. ~ Exchanges for additional flows in Colorado headwaters. ~ Allows water development while protecting recreational and environmental flows in Colorado Basin. 5.4.6 Green Mountain/Blue River Pumpback A recently completed study of Blue River pumpback and Wolcott Reservoir alternatives was prepared for seven west slope entities in the Colorado River Basin, Denver Water, and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (CRWCD et al. 2007). The information in this section bas been taken from this report. Additional detail and supporting information on alternatives can be found in this report. 5-34 FINAL DRAFT