11d ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 11/18/2008
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Phase III of this project, which will occur after submission of the implementation Outline to the BLM.
(Ted Kowalski)
WHITE RIVER FOREST SERVICE SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT: On October 3 1,
2008, the White River National Forest announced that they are seeking public input on a Wild and Scenic
Rivers Suitability Study for segments of the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon and Deep Creek above
Dotsero. With regard to the Colorado River segment, the Forest Service will be working with the BLM,
who is further along in their process. Public comments are due on the Forest Service study by December
2, 2008. In addition, the Forest Service will hold public open houses in Glenwood Springs on November
20, 2008, and in Eagle on November 24, 2008. A copy of the notice can be found as Attachment l 1d-12.
(Ted Kowalski)
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY WATER COMMISSION DIES:
On September 15, 2008, the Commissioner for the International Boundary and Water Commission for the
United States, Carlos Marin, and his Mexican counterpart, Arturo Herrera, died in a tragic plane crash
within Mexico. Jake Brisbin, Jr. and Matthew Peter Juneau were also killed in this crash. This was a very
sad day for the water community. Al Riera, the agency's principal engineer, has been named acting
Commissioner for the IBWC. Luis Antonio Rascon Mendoza has been named the new interim
commissioner for the IBWC's Mexican Section. (Ted Kowalski)
WINDY GAP EIS: The comment period for the environmental impact statement for the Windy Gap
Firming Project has been extended by Reclamation. Comments are now due by December 29th. (Eric
Hecox)
UPPER COLORADO RECOVERY PROGRAM - RUEDI 10825 REPLACEMENT
WATER UPDATE: Replacement of 10,825 acre-feet of Ruedi water currently being provide through a
contract with Reclamation that runs through 2012 is a requirement of the 15-Mile Reach PBO. A draft
alternatives report has been completed and the most favored alternative includes releases from Lake
Granby, improvements to the Orchard Mesa Irrigation Project and a variable contract for a lesser amount
of Ruedi water. The Northern Colorado WCD has provided a very innovative approach for providing
water from Lake Granby and on first impression has received a favorable response. Meetings to continue
to work on that alternative where held on September 29th and November 10th to further refine the details
of the favored (Kitchen Sink) alternative. At present the GranbylRedtop portion is anticipated to provide
2,700 acre-feet annually, improvements to the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District (OMID) about 7,487 acre-
feet with the balance coming from Ruedi Reservoir up to a maximum of 8,125 acre-feet annually. Work
on the financing package for the project is also being pursued. As I noted in my report last meeting, this
project and the necessary agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will most likely not be
completed by 2009 as provided for in the PBO. Therefore, interim water agreements to bridge the gap
between 2009 and project completion will be required. It appears at present the easiest option may be
extension of the 2012 agreement for Ruedi water. We will continue to keep you posted on this matter.
(Randy Seaholm)
UPPER COLORADO RIVER RECOVERY PROGRAM - ASPINALL UNIT RE-
OPERATIONS UPDATE: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has provided a copy of the Preliminary
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDEIS) to the cooperating agencies for review and comment.
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