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Section 5 Addressing the Water Supply Gap Technical Roundtable It is unknown if a Blue River pumpback project were to be developed if any yield would be made available to the South Metro water providers or other gap areas or users in the South Platte Basin. The cost of payments to Denver Water for the use of Dillon Reservoir and the Roberts Tunnel would need to be negotiated. Project Elements ~ Pump from Green Mountain Reservoir to Dillon Reservoir. ~ Replace Green Mountain Reservoir functions with other Colorado Basin storage. ~ Additional Storage in Arkansas and South Platte Basins. 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. There are issues associated with compact administration, permitting, technical, political, and other issues. Concerns have been raised by certain water users in Colorado regarding supply availability, potential impacts on existing Colorado water rights and administration of any new depletive Colorado River water right. In addition, west slope entities have stressed that "as a practical matter, that because a Blue River Pumpback relies on use of storage in Green Mountain Reservoir, the viability of a pumpback is contingent on the consent and cooperation of the West Slope. Accordingly, it first must satisfy West Slope needs without causing unacceptable impacts. If a Blue River pumpback passes that threshold test, then the question becomes whether it can be a viable supply for the East Slope." (Preface to Executive Summary by Colorado River Water Conservation District, September 19, 2007) The following are some of the key considerations when examining the project elements, benefits, potential implementation issues and potential attributes for this alternative. ~ Conjunctive use with non-tributary groundwater. ~ Payment to Denver for use of system. Benefits: ~ Minimize loss of irrigated acres in South Platte and Arkansas Basins. ~ Maximize Colorado's Colorado River compact entitlement. ~ Additional flows in Upper South Platte. ~ Grand County streamflow management. ~ Additional Grand Valley water supplies. ~ Dillon Reservoir levels. ~ Additional water supplies for the upper Blue River. ~ Additional yield for Clinton Reservoir. ~ Blue River flow enhancement. ~ Additional west slope supplies. ~ Abandonment of some Eagle River rights. FINAL DRAFT 5-39