SWRT Meeting Summary 5-13-08 final

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The CWCD Board elected not to identify solutions to the gaps, but rather begin SWSI Phase 2 so that solutionscomefromthegrass roots. Theoverall goalforSWSI II istosearchforsolutions that address conservation, agtransfers, environmentand recreation needs, and new water development. Rick's opinion is that conservation, re-use, agtransfers, and new water development ofmulti-purpose projects will be the most successful. They created technical groups (conservation efficiency, ag transfer, environmental, and a "gap" group) to start talking about issues cross-basin. This was before H.B.1177 had been passed. Rick shared his opinion that conservation and water resource development should be pursued concurrently. Both take time to implement. There is not state-wide support for this concept at this time. Another opinion is that Colorado needsto do much more to prepare for drought; we need to update a state drought plan. We need to develop stronger relationships between the municipalities and agriculture. Ag still has 85% of our water use. It would be important to any futuredrought planto linkthose partnershipson a willing-buyer, willing-sellerbasis intermsof how we could use interruptiblesupplyagreements. We need to do morethansay, "we've got to be ready for drought". Conservation as a source of future water supply remains a challenge. We still need to work on agtransfers. Preserving agriculture in the state is a very important goal. Rick continued, saying that each Roundtable needs to go through the same process using a common methodology. It's expected, of course, that results will be different between the roundtables. He briefly touched on Policy 18 and described it as an attempt to do partnership projects such as Long Hollow. John Porter asked what source of funding is there for in uninterruptible supply using ag supply for non-consumptive use? Rick responded the current primary source is from legislation passed this year in the amountof $1 million to dosome acquisitions. One source is the Fish and Wildlife Mitigation funds that are not an exact fit. The Water Supply Reserve Account is also available. Jenny Russell shared that it is still unclear how non-consumptive needs analysis will be implemented. Rick said it iscomplexandwould depend onthe issue. Possiblyinclude in regulatory agreements; wild & scenic processes; could be incorporated into watershed plans, wildlife plans. Kay Hartman thanked Rickfor hisyears ofservice and said thatthe Roundtable will miss him. Report from Consumptive Work Group Mike Preston reported that they are waiting to get back with consultants to do their analysis and then to work with non-consumptive group.