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1. tie« water storage is a n.ccessary arld essential companeiat of resolving, the water <br />crisis on the South. Platte River. Therefore, tlic Sou1h Platte Task Force recoramends the <br />support of the expdnsion and dredging of existing reservoi.rs and tlie construction of new <br />reservoirs includ.ing underground storage. <br />Passed ZO(I (for/against) (Stulp and Harvey absent) <br />2. The Task Force recommends that continued fiinding be provided to en.sure <br />comgl.etian of the South Platte Decision Suppoil Systeril as soon as possible. <br />Passed 23/0 <br />3. Th.e Task Force recomunends that the South Platte Decision Su.pport System team. <br />continue its comprehensive study io eval.uate the limits of current science and teclutology <br />to accurately quan.tify the aniount and tirning of we.ll pumping depleti.ons to the river, <br />wit.h appropriatc peer review, sa as to -ensure ih.at policy and law is created on the basis of <br />the best modcling possible. <br />Passed 16/7 <br />4. The Task Force rGCammencis that the Legislature enact legislation that would <br />providc more flexibility for the use of excess augmentation credits, only for rcplacement <br />of current ycar depletions caused by past well pumping, with the notice and comm.ent <br />process aud expedited review set forth in C.R.S. § 37-83-105. This includes but is not <br />limited to looki»g at the watcr loan statute (C..R.S. § 37-83-105) as an appropriate statute <br />within whic11 provide this flexibility. <br />Passed 17/6 <br />5. The Task Force recognires that there is increasing pressure being applied to the <br />Water Courts in the State, duc to competi.tion for water, recenl casc l.aw and evolving <br />technology. The Task Forcc has also received testimony fi-om a nuniber of individuals <br />that the Water Court process is cumbersame, ti.me-consuming and can be extremely <br />expensive. <br />The stu.dy coulci i.nclude consideration of: <br />- appoi.ntmcn.t of senior judges as alternate water judgcs <br />- perm.i.tting the appaintm.cnt of special masters in water court proceedi.ngs - <br />with the nossibi.lity That the water court referccs could thcroselves stnre in that <br />ra.4e <br />- a requirement that water court re:f.erces bc professional engineers <br />- iinposition of procedura} time requireialents in proceedings before the referee, <br />such as application of Rules 16 a:nd 26 <br />- mandatory annual traina.ng for water judges and ref:erees both in water Iaw and <br />in. the cngin.eering, technological and scienti.:Cic i.ssues and acivancernents, in <br />3