Arkansas - LAVWCD - Super Ditc_Application_July2008

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Alternative Agricraltural Water Transfer Methods -Grant Application Form January 26U8 noted that the project does not have to meet all of the criteria to be eligible to receive funding. a) The proposed projectlprogram has the ability/potential to produce a reliable water supply that can be administered by the State of Colorado, Division of Water Resources. Historical buy-and-dry demonstrates that taking land out of irrigation and using the water for other uses in other places pursuant to water court decrees or substitute water supply plans can be administered by the State Engineer. The water leasing program is based on the same concept, except that different lands will be taken out of irrigation each year. There is at least one existing decree in Division 1, the South Platte, that provides far this. In order to be able to prove to the water court that water leasing will not injure other water rights owners, the Super Ditch Company will have to prove that the change can be administered. Notice and accounting requirements in the decree can require that the Company notify the Division of Water Resources of the lands that will not be irrigated in any year by same date certain, and provide appropriate and timely accounting for the dry-up and transferred use of such water rights. The Super Ditch Company will work with the Division Engineer to anticipate administration issues as it prepares the detailed engineering for each water (ease, water court applications and substitute water supply plan applications. The Company may also propose terms and conditions in its applications that would address administration. b) The proposed projectlprogram produces information that is transferable and transparent to other users and other areas of the state (i.e., would provide alp example "template" or roadmap to others wishing to explore alternate transfer methods). The critical questions for large scale water leasing either have been or will be answered by this Project. Much of this information, particularly the legal work, is generic and applicable anywhere in Colorado. The engineering and economic work provides a roadmap that can be replicated in other areas of the state wishing to explore alternate transfer methods. All of the information has been prepared with public funds and is available to others who wish to examine and use it. Optional Task G would compile relevant information into a comprehensive roadmap, with appendices as appropriate, to facilitate the use of this information by others. c) The praposed project/progra~n addresses key water needs identified in SWSI or as identified in a basin's needs assessment. See response to 1 above, "The Problem," which reviews SWSI findings relevant #o the praposed program. d) Tl~e proposed prnjectlprogram advances the preservation of high value agricultural lands. Value can be viewed as: the value of crops produced, the value the agriculture provides to the local community, and the value the agricultural area provides for open space and wildlife habitat. 18