20 ‎(8)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 7/22/2009
• Description: WSP Section - Animas La Plata
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Agenda Item 20, Ju1v 21-22, 2009 Board Meeting
Animas-La Plata Project
Page 4 of 4
financing could be through a CWCB Construction Fund Loan or perhaps the Water Supply
Reserve Account.
Staff recognizes that the water supply needs identified in SW SI in the San Juan Basin
should be addressed. The Water Supply Reserve Account request by the La Plata West Water
Authority for the developinent of a rural water systein, the request by the La Plata Archuleta
Water District for water to serve parts of the Florida Mesa and the Southwestern Water
Conservation District's strong support for Colorado to purchase its ALP water allocation are a
clear indication that the State should purchase at least a portion of its allocation. However, the
willingness and ability of any of the entities to subcontract for a portion of the State's allocation
is unknown. Staff still believes a water market analysis of the amounts, viability and interests on
the part of water users and providers in southwestern Colorado would be useful in helping to
arrive at a decision on how much of the State's allocation of ALP water to purchase. The drafting
of the "Scope of Work" (SOW) for the Market Analysis has benefited from comments by local
water interests both at the Board ineeting and at the recent Basin Roundtable ineetings and is
nearly complete.
Recommendation
Staff should continue to seek funding for the inarket analysis and work with the Tribes
and those seeking a portion of the State's allocation to develop a funding proposal for
consideration by the Board and potential inclusion in next year's Projects Bill. Finally, staff
should continue working with the Association, Reclaination, the Southwestern Water
Conservation District and the State Engineer as appropriate to address the water right
adininistration issues.
Attachinents