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4.0 WELL PUMPING AND REPLACEMENT OBLIGATIONS <br />There are a total of 84 active wells within the 2009 Lower Latham SWSP. All wells within the <br />SWSP and plan for augmentation are utilized exclusively for irrigation purposes. Since 2005, the <br />GMSCCWCD plan for augmentation has not provided adequate replacement water supplies to <br />provide for un-curtailed pumping of its membership wells. The Lower Latham SWSP has provided a <br />means for adequate replacement water so that curtailment of pumping is not required. A copy of the <br />2009 Lower Latham SWSP renewal request is enclosed in Appendix C. Within the SWSP, the wells <br />depletions are determined using a water budget methodology which determined the total stream <br />replacement obligation to be 480.4 acre-feet during the 2009 plan year (Apri12009 through March <br />2010), allocated 176.3 to GMSCCWCD membership wells and 304.1 acre-feet to non-GMSCCWCD <br />wells. <br />5.0 NEED FOR THE PROJECT <br />In 2003, LLRC filed an application in Division 1 water court to pursue a permanent plan for <br />augmentation for irrigation wells that irrigate lands served by the Lower Latham Ditch. The project <br />is necessary in order to allow for the continued operation of wells within the Lower Latham system <br />and provides the supplemental irrigation water supply necessary for the production of crops within <br />the system, particularly during extended drought periods. A total of 39 wells included within the <br />project were previously augmented by Groundwater Appropriators of the South Platte (GASP). The <br />remaining 45 wells are included within the GMSCCWCD plan for augmentation. We11s can no <br />longer operate under GASP and the GMSCCWCD plan for augmentation currently provides for <br />severely curtailed pumping. The subject project is necessary to allow uncurtailed pumping of the <br />wells within the Lower Latham system during all years, including extended drought periods like the <br />one experienced by this region during 2002 and subsequent years. By and large, the well owners in <br />Latham's plan are fartners who rely solely on the crops they produce for their livelihood. If they are <br />unable to pump their wells without curtailment at critical times during the growing season, at a <br />minimum, it is likely that crop yields will be reduced, and in certain situations, even eliminated <br />altogether. <br />-4- <br />