Feb 12 08 South Platte Basin Roundtable Meetin

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Ag production alone in Weld County is $1.4 billion alone. Emphasis that we use our water as efficiently as possible. Bill Jerke: Real wet water projects are being presented continuously. Fred Walker: Hugh and I are in same farm organization and because we see each other annually, have come to understand the important issues that impact Gunnison and that the waters that leave the state are necessary waters that benefit the state. Shimmin: Helpful numbers: 1 million acres in South Platte Basin irrigated ag, in Republican, another 500,000 irrigated acres; thus total irrigated acres 1.5 million acres. Jerke: 70% farm gate sales in 2002 Hecox: AT state wide level, looking at how basins are interconnected and how health of one depends on the health of another; thus worth thinking about how health of ag conunuiuty on east slope might impact Guiulison. For example, livestock industry in Yampa basin impacted by costs of hay and feed coming from east. Harold Evans: Also to note that feedlots on east slope is where west slope livestock end up. Hugh: Expresses value of the basin process and the education process so that we can realize that we have important issues and once we understand those issues, then we can reach toward collaborative solutions. Harold Evans: Another point to take home to Gunnison is to note that the high degree of fnistration in our roundtable is to note that while we tallc we continue to dry up our farm land. As muni rep, we have just dried up 600000 acres; as we tallc, farm ground is being dried up and this is the only source of water we have right now and thus one of the senses of urgency that we have is to note the rapid rate of farm land being dried up and to understand the impact on the entire state. McCloud: As seen in Gunnison PowerPoint, if water is taken from Gunnison basin, it is taken from agricultural as well. Harold Evans: Need to look rationally as to how to meet the needs of the state of Colorado... comparison of efficient use of water. McCloud: Sensitive issue to compare value of whose agriculture is more v valuable. IV. Water Supply Account (WSRA) Presentations from Applicants Seeking Roundtable Approval Presentation of Arickaree River Well Retirement Program' William Burnich: Nature Conservancy Recap of application that was emailed last week. Need to get into compliance as Jean describes: What was done to help the WCD to be formed and to level an assessment on irrigated acres? Conservation Enhancement Recovery Program (CREP) 2 well retirement projects-thus, bringing added incentives to these programs in order to target well retirements with benefits for Acrickaree (Middle Fork of Republican River) 9