9377

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9377
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: 16th Annual Colorado Water Workshop.
• USFW Year: 1991.
• USFW - Doc Type: Western State College.
• Copyright Material: NO

BENEFITS TO COLORADO OF HB 1110

A BILL CONCERNING WATER WHICH IS SAVED

1 - IT SHOWS THAT COLORADO WATER LAW CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE WATER
MANAGEMENT, AND PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO AGRICULTURE TO UTILIZE
WATER SUPPLIES MORE EFFICIENTLY.

2 - IT IS A WAY TO "DEVELOP" ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLIES WITHOUT
BUILDING ADDITIONAL STORAGE, TAKING AGRICULTURAL LAND OUT OF
PRODUCTION, OR GOING THROUGH THE COMPLEX FEDERAL PERMITTING
PROCESS

3 - RECOGNIZES THE VALUE OF IMPROVING IRRIGATION DELIVERY SYSTEMS

4- EXTENDS TO AGRICULTURAL WATER USERS THE SAME RIGHTS AFFORDED
TO MUNICIPAL USERS, THAT OF IMPROVING YIELD BY IMPROVING
EFFICIENCY OF USE.

5 - GRAND VALLEY IS EXAMPLE OF INSTANCE WHERE THE "CONSERVATION
RIGHT" COULD BE UTILIZED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SALINITY
CONTROL PROGRAM.

55,000 ACRES IRRIGATED

TOTAL

146,000 AF
101,000
151,000
397,000 AF

CROP CONSUMPTIVE USE
OTHER VEGETATION & MUNICIPAL USE
SEEPAGE

JOINT PROGRAM WITH BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, SOIL CONSERVATION
SERVICE AND LOCAL IRRIGATION DISTRICTS HAS POTENTIAL TO REDUCE
SEEPAGE BY 75,000 ACRE FEET AND REDUCE SALT LOADING BY 290,000 TONS
ANNUALLY. PROGRAM INVOLVES LINING AND PIPING 1,000 MILES OF CANAL
AND DITCHES, IMPROVING ON-FARM DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND LEVELING
FIELDS. TOTAL COST OF PROGRAM IS ABOUT $400,000,000. FED E HAL
INVOLVMENT IN THE PROGRAM REQUIRES THAT THE WETLANDS AND HABITAT
LOST MUST BE REPLACED, AND THUS NO SAVINGS IN THE AREA OF USE BY
OTHER VEGETATION. ONLY MARGINAL SAVINGS IN THE AREA OF CROP
CONSUMPTIVE USE. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE THE DIVERSION
BY UP TO 20%, BUT THIS REQUIRES AN INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL AND LONG
TERM OPERATION AND MAINTAINENCE COMMITTMENT.

SHOULDN'T COLORADO WATER LAW RECOGNIZE THIS WAY TO IMPROVE
OUR USE OF EXISTING WATER SUPPLIES AND FACILITIES?