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• Board Meeting Date: 3/18/2008
• Description: CF Section - Severance Tax Trust Fund Operational Account Recommendations
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

8. Sand Wash Basin Coalbed Methane Production Depletive Effects on Water Resources
Beneficiary/Grantee/Contractor: CGS, Various
Amount of Request: $120,000 Ranking: Medium
Product Produced: A study of coalbed methane impacts on surface and groundwater supplies in
the Sand Wash Basin of Moffat County, similar to earlier work in the Raton, San Juan, and Piceance
Basins. An initial assessment of the potential for depletions to surface supplies from extraction of
produced water in the Sand Wash area would be made after determination of the geo-hydrologic
characteristics of the coal (and gas) bearing formations.
Water Planning Relationship: The study is strongly supported by local governments because
it will help evaluate impacts on local groundwater users that can be used in land use planning
decision making.
Recommendation: Staff gives a medium recommendation to the funding of this project because
of the limited funding available and the potential for alternative funding through the Basin Round
Table process which is already funding a more general study of energy development impacts on
local water supplies.
9. Forest Influences and Water Yield in Colorado
Beneficiary/Grantee/Contractor: Blue Mountain Consultants, US Forest Land Users, Various
Amount of Request: $120,000 Ranking: Low
Product Produced: A reconnaissance level study assessing stream flow originating on US Forest
Service (USFS) lands in Colorado to be managed and performed by a private consultant updating
earlier work by the USFS.
Water Planning Relationship: The proposal was unclear as to who the immediate
beneficiaries of this study would be. General information about forest management practices would
be made available.
Recommendation: Staff gives a low recommendation to the funding of this project because of the
limited funding available and no specific public benefit being identified. In addition, there was no
public entity participating in or sponsoring this work.
10. Assessment of the Variability in Stream Channel Dimension and Roughness
Beneficiary/Grantee/Contractor: Black Creek Hydrology, LLC, So. Platte River Basin, Various
Amount of Request: $80,000 Ranking: Low
Product Produced: A study assessing stream channel morphology impacts from beetle damage on
USFS lands in the South Platte and Laramie River Basins to be managed and performed by a private
consultant. Apparently, this work would update earlier work done by USFS in support of its
reserved right claims based on channel maintenance flows.
Water Planning Relationship: The proposal was unclear as to who the immediate
beneficiaries of this study would be. General information about forest management practices and
establishing a new baseline condition would be made available.
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