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A quantitative modeling analysis of water availability in the Colorado River Basin, the "Big <br />River" context, requires a competent water resources model that adequately represents the <br />physical and institutional features of.the basin. The best available model for this type of study is <br />the CRSS model (Riverware implementation) maintained by Reclamation. The CRSS model has <br />a reliable representation of the current operating rules for the reservoirs and Lower Basin <br />contract deliveries, but does not represent the features of the Colorado River Compact and the <br />Upper Colorado River Basin Compact. Despite this shortcoming, the most cost - effective means <br />of conducting the requested study will be to adapt CRSS. <br />Approach: <br />8.1 Summarize Key Issues. - Review key legal and operating procedures that may be <br />relevant to the study and the interpretation of study findings. Write a memorandum <br />summarizing the review. <br />8.2 Approach - Assess available methods for evaluating water available to Colorado under <br />the terms of the compact. Prepare a written recommendation for an approach. Submit <br />this to CWCB for review and meet with CWCB staff and State legal counsel, or others <br />able to provide input on the legal significance on the approach, to discuss the <br />recommendation. Based on comments from CWCB prepare a working recommendation <br />for an approach. Submit this to CWCB staff and State legal counsel, or others able to <br />provide input on the legal significance on the approach, for further review. Based on <br />comments from CWCB prepare a final approach. The cost estimate assumes that two <br />review cycles will be required. <br />The CRWAS consulting team will attend and summarize a meeting with the AG's <br />Office representative to discuss the proposed approach to Task 8.2. Consulting <br />team members will meet with staff of the CWCB and staff of the Colorado Office of <br />the Attorney General (AG). Expected participants include Blaine Dwyer and Matt <br />Brown (AECOM); Erin Wilson (Leonard Rice Engineers); Ben Harding (AMEC); <br />Jennifer Gimbel, Randy Seaholm, Ray Alvarado, Eric Hecox, Veva De Heza and <br />Taryn Hutchins - Cabibi (CWCB); Ross Bethel (CWCB contractor); and James <br />Eklund (AG). <br />The meeting will be used to discuss the sensitive nature of compact issues and how <br />that impacts CRWAS Task 8 to provide an estimate of any consumption limitation <br />in the Upper Basin that might arise from the operation of the Colorado River <br />Compact in conjunction with the 1944 Treaty between the United States and <br />Mexico. <br />General approaches to such an analysis will be discussed, including estimating the <br />amount of water required to supplement the Colorado River above Lake Powell in <br />order to avoid a consumption limitation in the Upper Basin, which will be used as a <br />reasonable starting point from which to develop a more detailed approach for the <br />analysis. <br />Colorado River Water Availability Study Scope 30 12/15/2009 <br />Exhibit Al.doc <br />