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<br />r <br /> <br />The lower number is based on a hydrologic study similar to a firm yield analysis, conducted <br />by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) commonly referred to as the "Hydrologic <br />Determination." A Hydrologic Determination was last signed by the Secretary of the Interior on <br />February 2, 1989.11 It is required by the federal legislation authorizing the Navajo Indian Irrigation <br />Project and the San Juan-Chama Project. 12 The Secretary of the Interior is currently reviewing a new <br />updated Hydrologic Determination. 13 <br /> <br />The assumption that Colorado has at least 500,000 af per year of Colorado River water <br />remaining to develop is relatively common. Within the HB-1177 process, it is often coupled with <br />another common assumption that Colorado's other major river basins (North Platte, South Platte, <br />Arkansas and Rio Grande) are fully utilized. <br /> <br />For example, the "Multi-Basin Water Supply Investigation" prepared for the Northern <br />Colorado Water Conservancy District and which proposes a large transmountain diversion out of the <br />Yampa Basin, makes the following statement: "SWSI estimates that the amount of water available <br />for development under the 1922 and 1948 compacts to be around 700,000 af.,,14 <br /> <br />The CWCB staff presentation to the SWSI phase II GAP Committee on February 26,2006, <br />included the following conclusion:15 <br /> <br />150,000 af/year minimum available after <br />· existing firming projects <br />· meeting future in-basin future needs <br />· oil shale development <br /> <br />There is a big difference between 150,000 af and 700,000 af. The CWCB's 150,000 af <br />estimate includes the development of a number of future projects, including oil shale. In both of the <br />ahove examples, the basic assumption is that Colorado has some amount of Colorado River water <br />available to develop. Whether it is 150,000 or 700,000, is it really there? <br /> <br />llu.S. Department of the Interior, "Water Availability from Navajo Reservoir and the Upper Colorado River Basin for Use in New <br />Mexico," February 2, 1989. Although formally signed in 1989, it is commonly referred to as the 1988 Determination. <br /> <br />1276 Stat. 96. (1962). <br /> <br />13Memo from Randy Seaholm to the CWCB dated May 7, 2006. It is attached as Appendix D. <br /> <br />14Boyle Engineering, Multi-Basin Water Supply Investigation, November 2006, at page 2-4. <br /> <br />15Power point prepared by Rick Brown, February 2,2006, slide #39. <br /> <br />Page -6- <br />