Hearing on HR 3881: Testimony of Steve Arveschoug

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5. Pueblo Flow Management Program— a 100 cfs target minimum flow (proposed to be a threshold to reduce or curtail PSOP participant operations) in support of the City of Pueblo's Legacy Project 6. Preserve Capacity for Future Arkansas Valley Conduit —a commitment from all PSOP participants to continue to reserve a portion of the municipal outlet works capacity at Pueblo Dam for the future development of the Arkansas Valley Conduit to serve the domestic water needs of communities in the lower Arkansas River valley in Colorado. 7. Protection of the Winter Water Storage Program —the establishment of a Winter Water Spill Credit Program designed to offset the impacts of any spill of winter - stored water in Pueblo Reservoir. 8. Implementation Committee Report—the Storage Study Committee and the proposed partners in the development of the PSOP developed an Implementation Committee Report to address the details of how the re- operations storage and the enlarged storage would be operated so as to protect the current interests in the Fry-Ark Project Supporting Studies - -The development of the PSOP was truly a local effort to plan for the future water resource needs of southeastern Colorado. In addition to the PSOP itself, the Storage Study Committee studied the many issues surrounding the development of additional water storage. Those studies included: Hydrologic Analysis Report (March 2000) Environmental Issues Report (March 2000) Water Quality Issues Report (June 2000) Socioeconomic Issues Report (March 2000) Cultural Resources Issues Report (March 2000) Permitting and Regulatory Issues Report (March 2000) Engineering and Cost Issues Report (June 2000) These supporting studies were not intended to be conclusive. They were designed to identify the many issues that would need to be addressed as the PSOP is implemented. And, H.R. 3881 starts the implementation process for the Preferred Storage Options Plan. The Need for Federal Legislation— First, it's important to note that H.R. 3881 doesn't authorize the enlargement of Pueblo Reservoir or Turquoise Reservoir. As I'II explain, the legislation only directs Reclamation do feasibility studies of the proposed enlargements. And H.R. 3881 does not ask for a federal appropriation. Local communities will fund the study effort that is being requested. 5