North Platte - New Pioneer Ditch Reconstruction Project_Water Activity Summary

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Both the applicant and the roundtable want to make best use of this diversion reconstruction as a demonstration project. The project promotes cooperation and collaboration between agricultural (consumptive) and environmental (non-consumptive) uses of water in the North Platte Basin. In addition to irrigating hay fields, the ditch sub- irrigates land along the river for 3 miles. This is an important wintering spot for antelope and a large elk herd. It also provides habitat for the Greater Sage Grouse and other species of waterfowl. Wildlife habitat will be preserved in an area that Ducks Unlimited has designated as one of two very critical nesting habitats in the state. Funding this project will maintain and improve an important irrigation facility that cannot be funded from existing ranching operations. Several ditch diversion reconstruction projects have been successfully completed by the Project Manager. This project is expected to begin following the next irrigation season (mid-July 2008). Financial match will be attained by rock donations from an existing source and in-kind equipment donations. The project will use 11% of the North Platte Basin funds available to date. Issues/Additional Needs: ? The application does not indicate whether the project has the support of the other ditch shareholders. Letters of support from the other shareholders should accompany the application. ? The applicant needs to provide a little more narrative in the scope of work that describes the method or approach taken and the final product that is expected for each of the items listed in the cost summary. ? The State of Colorado does not fund unspecified contingencies. The applicant needs to specify what the contingency would be used for and what rates would be utilized. It is suggested that a third task be added to the scope of work entitled: “Additional Services”. A narrative indicating that this task will be utilized to address any unforeseen issues encountered during construction or to address changes in estimated volumes or level of effort. Any additional services will be identified and billed at the rates identified in Task 2. ? The applicant and BRT have indicated a desire to make this a demonstration project. They have not outlined a plan to make the project accessible to the public. The applicant should provide a plan that outlines the promotion of the project. Staff Recommendation: The proposed project will help improve the operations of a local agricultural water project. Staff recommends approval of up to $116,000 from the North Platte Basin Account to complete the New Pioneer Ditch Diversion Reconstruction Project, contingent on resolution of the items in the issues/additional needs section. All products, data and information developed as a result of this grant must be provided to CWCB in hard copy and electronic format as part of the project documentation. This information will in turn be made widely available to Basin Roundtables and the general public and will help promote the development of a common technical platform. - 2 -