March 11 08 South Platte Basin Roundtable Meet

Home Browse Search

South Platte Basin Roundtable Meeting Minutes March 11, 2008 Weld County, Colorado Please contact Lisa McVicker for any changes or corrections to the minutes: mcvicker~gwest.net Note correction to Minutes of Febn~ary 10: page 9: deletion of sentence that refers to dry- up of acres in Weld County by Harold Evans. McVicker incorrectly recorded Mr. Evans' statement. Mr. Evans emphasized the sense of urgency in the South Platte basin and the fact that the rapid rate at which the farm land is being dried up has an impact on the entire state. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 8, 4 pm. Bill Jerke calls meeting to order at 4:15 pm L Standard Reports: IBCC Report: Eric Wilkinson and Mike Shimmin: Mike: Met on March 6; spent majority of meeting on "Visioning exercise" set out by Harris Sherman; these comments will be available on IBCC website; copies availablewritten comments distributed at meeting. Essence: Wide range of perspectives among all basins of IBCC as per what should astate-wide vision look like; all did agree that although we are not there yet, it is worthwhile to try to put together a statewide vision; possibilities were discussed. Interesting themes during the day: 1) water supply planning in response to water demand growth is not happening in the abstract; tied to economic and population growth; thus, naive to talk about water supply planning in and of itself; therefore, one important piece of this is to focus on how we "dialogue" with those in the water supply business so that our efforts are harmonious. Many important themes discussed. Eric: One realization in the visioning process by everyone in the IBCC is that what has been the impetus of Colorado has been growth; it has been assumed that if growth went forward, we would find the water; now, water has moved to a primary position of consideration, because it will take either reallocation of place or use. Concern was expressed that this be done in a more sane way than now; now we are not planning; if we need to reallocate resources, planting needs to be done. For instance, how would we focus on taping lesser productive land out of production if this is the need? For instance, if Weld County does not survive this, it will be difficult to find feedlots on the east slope for west slope cattle. This visioning process helped to disseminate this and foment broader realization. Milce: One of the major issues that will be focus of our discussions is that we need to make a choice; in the past, water decisions have been made at