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model. $110,000 requested; $130,000 total cost. Will obtain data for the model, and construct final Benefits of the Groundwater model Reduce conflict regarding the use of ground water within the basin Reduce future costs of water users within the Basin for technical analyses Facilitate the mgmt of the alluvial aquifer Project supported by Dick Wolfe, State Engineer Roundtable consensus was reached. The application will move forward. 5. Presentations Jeris Danielson welcomed us to Trinidad. He manages the Purgatoire River District, originally called The River of Lost Souls in Purgatory. He invited some guests to speak. Coalbed Methane and Ground Water - Ralf Topper Extraction of coal and coal mining was a very important industry in the past. Coalbed methane is shallow - it's at the same depth as aquifers that supply water. Coalbed methane is natural gas that is held in coal seams. Usually, after coalbed methane wells are drilled, the well is first de-watered. As methane is removed, both water and methane are depleted. The quality of water produced by methane wells differ greatly in quality (related to TDS). The produced water from the Raton Basin varies, but averages around 7500 ppm in TDS. In coalbed methane production, water produced is disposed under the jurisdiction of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. If the water is clean enough, they can get a permit to discharge water to surface water. CGS contracted to do stream depletion studies in conjunction with other agencies - to determine the magnitude of stream depletion, if any, from extraction of water and methane. Stream depletion studies showed depletion in the San Juan Basin of 100-200 ac-ft/year. However, in the Raton Basin the estimate is 2,500 ac-ft/year of stream depletion. See the coalbed methane stream depletion studies on the CGS website (www.geosurvey.state. co.us). Ken Torres - Las Animas County Commissioner They have been involved in the coalbed methane issue since 2002, a severe drought year. During that time the county lost nearly 60% of their cattle industry due to lack of water. They began to try to utilize produced water at that time. They now use produced water for stock watering, fire suppression and dust suppression. The levels of allowable TDS may be raised by the State of Colorado, which would cause the county to lose the ability to use produced water for these needs. Las Animas County is fighting these proposals. The practice of fracting also raises issues related to water quality. Depletion of wells is becoming a concern. Dick Wolfe, State Engineer, and staff are going to pursue compliance with Colorado water law for produced water. Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jay Winner