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RGBRT - 8-12-08 <br />to the CWCB Board to act on in January. In January Board states intention to acquire <br />specific isf rights, which starts a year long period for public input. Instream Flow acquisition <br />needs to be on a biological basis and on a hydrological basis, causing no material injury to <br />other water right holders. Linda Bassi described the complex set of CWCB rules for isf. <br />Annual appropriation of $1 million to pay for the lease or purchase of water right for isf and <br />costs related to transactions. CWCB is revising isf rules to implement 2008 legislation. Also <br />amending its water acquisition rules. See http://cscb.state.co.us/StreamAndLake/ <br />9. "CWCB Update" - What's going on at CWCB - Travis Smith introduced Jennifer Gimbel, <br />Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board. Ms Gimbel informed members that Travis <br />was reelected Chairman and that Jeff Blakesley is Vice President. A big issue at last <br />meeting in Cortez was NISP, Northern Integrated Supply Program. Similar to SWSI - to <br />see what projects have been and will be developed. We can get 80% of the State's water <br />needs met. Those undeveloped projects - see if they are moving forward, nor not. NISP <br />was one of those projects. That discussion will continue at the Sept meeting in Alamosa. <br />Should the Board take a position supporting it or not? Also talking about water partnerships <br />in the State. Known as Policy 18 - trying to figure out how CWCB could best help small <br />projects that need funds. What about making a partnership between the State and that <br />entity? How to fully use the developed water? This has generated a lot of discussion, so <br />we'll hear about this at the CWCB meeting here in September. How do we minimize ag <br />dryup? Is there a way to minimize the effects? WSRA has allocated $1 Million to that issue. <br />Initiatives - how to use severance taxes: Stay on top of those issues. Tamarisk control <br />cost-sharing grants to help control invasive species and russian olive. Setting up the <br />program. Also interaction between basins, IBCC. <br />10. Update on Rio Grande Reservoir Rehabilitation Study - Travis Smith <br />The Rio Grande Reservoir Project is a model for the water partnership described by <br />Jennifer. Phase I - a 10K ft enlargement. Phase II - what an enlargement would look like, <br />wetland analysis, legal issues, fatal flaw issues from Phase I. Travis introduced Mat Bliss <br />(CDM), Kelly DiNatale (CDM), and Tod Smith, Esq., from legal council. Travis wants to get <br />this part of the study done and get more funding to finish the study. The R G Reservoir is <br />an asset -- storage, meets multiple needs. <br />Rio Grande Multi-Use Enlargement Study -- Mat Bliss, engineer with the San Luis Valley <br />Irrigation District, informed members regarding the Rio Grande Reservoir expansion and <br />rehab, Phase II, which is wrapping up now. Phase I fatal flaw analysis complete. Potential <br />to address multiple use needs. Phase II study tasks: Preliminary design, <br />geological/geotechnical investigation, flood hydrology, operations model, wetland <br />delineation, biological assessment. Draft participation agreements for storage. Prelim <br />design for seepage control, problems with outlet gates. Discussion of potential solutions. <br />Spillway would not be adequate in a big flow. Geological Investigation of landslides - fairly <br />stable except in one area. Vulnerable to earthquake. Study geology around reservoir. <br />Already studied flood hydrology and spillway and did some modeling. State has developed <br />the EPAT as a "reasonable" tool to determine sizing. Operations Model RioRezMod - to <br />show potential changes in operations and effects on streamflow. Demonstrated examples <br />of how the model works and value of the model in the timing of releases, wetland impacts <br />and mitigation alternatives. Next steps: finalize Phase 2 report by September. Travis <br />informed members that he will come to this Round Table and ask for Basin funds in <br />Page 3 of 4