IBCC Vision and Strategies 9-2-08

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References i Responses to the MCC Visioning Exercise include written responses to Director Sherman's January 15, 2005 memo, interviews conducted `with IBCC members prior to the March 2008 IBCC meeting, and the meeting notes summarizing the discussion at the March and Mat' 20115 IBCC meetings. SWSI Major Findings 1. Significant increases in Colorado's population-together -with agricultu al water needs and an increased focus on recreation and environmental uses-will mtensrft- competition for water. 2. Projects and water management processes that local municipal and industrial (M&I) providers are implementing or planning to implement have the ability to meet about 80 percent of Colorado's M&I water needs through 20'30. 3. To the extent that these identified M&I projects are not successfully- implemented, Colorado will see a significantly- greater reduction in irrigated agricultural lands as M&I water providers seek additional permanent transfers of agricultural water rights to provide for the demands that would otherwise have been met by specific projects and processes. 4. Supplies are not necessarily where demands are; localized shortages exist, especially in headwater areas, and compact entitlements in some basins are not fully utilized. 5. Increased reliance on nonrenewable, nontribuutary groundwater for permanent `water supply brings serious reliable and sustainability concerns in some areas, particuularIv along the Front Range. 6. In-basin solutions can help resolve the remaining 20 percent gap between M&I water supple and demand, but there will be tradeoffs and impacts on other users-especially agriculture and the environment. 7. Water conservation (bevond Level 1) will be relied upon as a major tool for meeting future M&I demands, but conservation alone cannot meet all of Colorado's future M&I needs. Significant water conservation has already occurred in many areas. 8. Environmental and recreational uses of water are expected to increase with population growtli. These uses help support Colorado's tourism induustn-, provide recreational and environmental benefits for our citizens, and are an important industry- in man-\- parts of the state. Without a mechanism to fund environmental and recreational enhancement beyond the project mitigation measures required by law, conflicts among M&I, agriculture, recreational, and environmental users could intensify. 9. The ability- of smaller, rural `water providers and agricultural water users to adequately- address their existing and future water needs is significantly affected by their financial abilities. 10. While SWSI evaluated water needs and solutions through 2030, very few M&I providers have identified supplies be,, and 2030. Beyond 2030, growing demands may require more agg-ressive solutions. ni SWSI Objectives • Sustainable met M&I demands • Sustainable meet Agricultural demands • Optimize existing and future water supplies • Enhance recreational opportunities • Provide for environmental enhancement • Promote cost effec tiveness • Protect cultural values • Provide for operational flexibility • Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and water rights i° Water in 202.5 Beliefs and Values as a Means for Cooperation, Lynn Katheleen, Janua v 2006 Three areas of overwhelmin- a-reerment: 0 01 1. Water is fundamental to the economN 12