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RGDSS Memorandum <br />Final <br />TO: Ray Bennett <br />FROM: Ed Armbruster, Hydrosphere <br />SUBJECT: RGDSS Surface Water, Task 4.4 -District 20 Commissioner Interview <br />DATE: July 2, 1999 <br />CC: Randy Seaholm <br />Introduction <br />This memorandum represents partial delivery (1 of 8 interviews) associated with Task 4.4, Water <br />Commissioner Interviews / Prepare Summary Memoranda. The objective of this task is as <br />follows: <br />Meet with water commissioners of Division 3 regarding day-to-day operations and <br />administration practices within their districts. <br />On February 10, 1999, an interview was conducted with Water Commissioners from Division 3, <br />Water District 20. The purpose of this interview was to develop a better understanding of District <br />water rights and their administration such that this information could be reflected in surface water <br />modeling efforts associated with the Rio Grande Decision Support System (RGDSS). The <br />following discussion summarizes information developed during this interview. <br />Water Commissioners <br />Water Commissioners for District 20 of Water Division 3 are Steve Baer, Ben Cannon, and Perry <br />Alspaugh. Water Commissioner responsibilities are shared between these three State employees <br />because of the large geographic area that comprises the District and because of the large number <br />of active water rights and the complexities of the Rio Grande Compact. Mr. Baer has served as <br />lead Water Commissioner since 1992. Messrs. Cannon and Alspaugh have served as Deputy <br />Commissioners for approximately 16 and 8 years, respectively. <br />Geographic Area of Responsibility <br />As lead Water Commissioner in District 20, Mr. Baer oversees water rights administration of the <br />entire District. His day-to-day responsibilities include administration of a middle reach of the <br />Rio Grande in Colorado between the towns of Del Norte and Monte Vista, and San Francisco <br />Creek. Mr. Baer is also responsible for administrative aspects of daily reservoir operations and <br />the Rio Grande Compact. Ben Cannon assists Mr. Baer and is responsible for administration on <br />the lower Rio Grande from Monte Vista to a point below Alamosa. Mr. Cannon also administers <br />water rights on Rock Creek and Raton Creek. Perry Alspaugh, another Deputy to Mr. Baer, <br />administers rights on the Rio Grande to the west of Del Norte, including the Rio Grande <br />headwaters and numerous tributaries (e.g. Pinos Creek and Goose Creek). <br />C:Acdss\D20_Mem.doc District 20 Interview July 2, 1999 -Page 1 of 9 <br />