C150094 Application (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Institutional Constraints Institutional constraints, including economic, social,political and legal issues,need to be evaluated to determine the feasibility of the reservoir project. Specific issues include the following: A. Water Allocation, Reservoir Operations and Payment Issues for Long Hollow Reservoir The study will estimate the amount of water in the La Plata River drainage basin that the Lower Long Hollow Reservoir will make available for irrigation, either directly or by exchange. The District, in consultation with irrigators on the La Plata River,will need to determine a basis for the allocation of such additional water, whether by the seniority of current rights,by payment, or otherwise. This could entail revision and expansion of the Western La Plata County Water Management and Conservation Plan. Allocation agreements, if not finalized during the feasibility study, will be developed to a point that completion is imminent. The agreements could be among parties with significant water rights on the La Plata River. If expenditures are required by the District to secure these agreements, those expenditures shall be included as part of the financial plan. If a facilitator is needed to assist in allocation or other issues, John Porter, Manager, Dolores Water Conservancy District,has agreed to serve as facilitator. The study will also determine whether payment will be required for use of irrigation water either directly from the Reservoir or by exchange; and if payment is required,will estimate how much the payment will be, to which entities will the money be paid, and for what purpose. Use of water on the La Plata River for stock watering has historically been an issue of contention on the La Plata River. The study will determine whether water will be available from the Reservoir for stock watering, either directly or through exchange, and how winter stock water will otherwise be delivered and in what quantities. It could be that if a rural domestic water system is developed and wells in the La Plata River drainage do not need to be recharged, the stock water issue will diminish in importance and, if irrigators are assured of a large annual water supply, they may not continue to draw a lot of water early in the irrigation season. B. Local Consultations 1. The study will identify other entities, organizations, and individuals likely to have an interest in the outcome of the study and initiate a process whereby other entities, organizations and individuals identified above can be informed of the study activities and allowed an opportunity to participate in the study process. 2. Study personnel will work with area Fire Districts and Authorities to determine whether water needs to be available for fire protection from the new 1 Reservoir and, if so,how to make it available. 14