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• Board Meeting Date: 9/16/2008
• Description: IWMD Section - Presentation on Northern Integrated Supply Project ‎(NISP)‎
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

- NISP has considerable public awareness ("great deal"/"some information") and support
among residents ("strongly" and "somewhat" favor).
• 52% awareness - Larimer; 63% favor the project; 24% oppose
• 28% awareness -Weld; 81% favor the project; 8% oppose
- Need for water and storage are top reasons for support of NISP, with growth a factor. ;
Opposition concerned about impact on Poudre River, the environment, the necessity a>~ the
plan. .~
- Residents use Poudre River for recreation and relaxation. About two-fifths will use Glade
Reservoir.
• 73% picnic Poudre River - Larimer; 53% Weld
• 33% raft Poudre River Canyon - Larimer
• 39% will use Glade Reservoir - Larimer; 41 % Weld
- NISP major policy themes highlighted. Significant agreement with:
• Protecting agriculture, farm economy and open space
• Cooperation on water issues among communities
• Protecting northern Colorado water for local purposes
• Water management aspects of Poudre River and Big Thompson
• Water management, drought protection and recreation aspects of Glade Reservoir
• Less agreement and less firm opinion about Poudre River flows
- When offered choice, public prefer: i
• Sustain agriculture and keep water: 84% Larimer; 89% Weld
• Conservation not enough; need storage: 73% Larimer; 87% Weld
• NISP will not dry up Poudre: 49% Larimer; 50% Weld
- Water supply policy main themes cited. Significant support for development of:
• Conservation/reuse programs: 93% Larimer; 94% Weld
• Storage for agriculture: 87% Larimer; 94% Weld
• Storage to keep water in area and for shortage and drought: 87% Larimer; 95% Weld
• Supply for residential growth: 77% Larimer; 86% Weld
- Public has formed opinions on water policy, but:
• One-third not aware of Colorado-Big Thompson water contribution to Poudre River
flows: 35% Larimer; 40% Weld
• There is confusion on location of wild and scenic designation among Larimer residents
- About one-fifth of residents are active in environmental movement, and about one-half are
sympathetic.
~J
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