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Ufh.31/Le1GL 14: 011 bllObbr52 i laf�5f/ PAGE aZ <br /> r <br /> e 1 <br /> rr <br /> I <br /> Ni Groundwater Appropriators of the <br /> Sth Pl ou GAJIP Platte River Basin Inc. <br /> P.0.Box 974.219 E.Railroad Ave. <br /> Fort Morgan,Colorado$0701 <br /> 970-$67-529$ <br /> July 23, 2002 <br /> Mr. Rod Kuharich <br /> Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board <br /> 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 <br /> Denver, CO 80203 <br /> Dear Mr. Kuharich: <br /> As you know,this water year has been the most challenging one in several <br /> generations. I would like to explain to you our current circumstances so that you can <br /> factor them into your activities. <br /> At the end of last year, our resources were nearly exhausted due to increased <br /> augmentation needs and excessive pumping expenses. As a result, the Board of Directors <br /> • and the membership decided that increased fees were in order and the assessments were <br /> raised by 30%. This is the sole source of financing for GASP. In addition, funds in excess <br /> of$200,000 were set aside for the purchase of permanent water supplies. <br /> This year started with river calls in April and have been continuous since that <br /> time, and has the appearance of extending through out the balance of the irrigation season <br /> which is well beyond anything experienced before. As a result, even with the increased <br /> revenues, all money has been spent or committed for this year,including those set aside <br /> for the purchase of permanent supplies. Now, there are a few more opportunities <br /> emerging, but all funds have been exhausted.It appears that if the current water <br /> arrangements can be finalized,we may be able to keep wells running long enough to get <br /> ot <br /> this year's crops finished. Specifically,two regions could be satisfied with more <br /> augmentation. One area is below Sterling where the augmentation technique consists of <br /> operating wells far from the river such that depletion impacts should not be felt until after <br /> the current drought conditions are over. In most cases the impact will occur several years <br /> from now. Another area that can be helped is between Denver and Greeley and in that <br /> case,non-tributary effluent is available from municipal wastewater plants. GASP has <br /> about 3000 wells currently in its augmentation program and not all of them are fully <br /> covered for the remainder of this irrigation season. These remedial steps should allow u --e <br /> to assure our customers that this season can be completed without interruption. <br /> �U 1,-.k,../.. ' \c,„ <br /> )9, <br /> s <br /> Lyyt,,,x& rio'kk44, <br /> i ,,,-4,4 co <br />