Board Meeting 11/03/1983

• Board Meeting Date: 11/3/1983
• Description: Minutes, Agenda, Memorandums November 03,04, 1983
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

Danielson, the Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District, and the
• Colorado River Water Conservation District continue negotiations
with the Bureau of Reclamation to consumate an agreement
providing for the subordination of Aspinall Unit water rights
aggregating 60, 000 acre-feet of water for consumption in the
Gunnison River Basin, with an unspecified quantity reserved for
the Fruitland Mesa Project. The motion was adopted by unanimous
voice vote.
b. Sale of Water from Blue Mesa Reservoir
Chairman Vandemoer moved to this item and asked Mr. McDonald
to discuss it.
Mr. McDonald reported that this item referred to the
question of selling water from Blue Mesa Reservoir, a feature of
the Aspinall Unit, developed by the yield of that reservoir under
its water rights, whether subordinated or not. Applicants
desiring to purchase water out of the reservoir basically fall
into two categories: (1) those having an adjudicated junior
right and (2 ) those with no underlying water right.
With reference to the first category, it is possible that
assuming the mechanics of subordination have been implemented,
even a right which receives the benefit of that subordination may
still be out of priority against downstream rights that are
senior to rights of the Aspinall Unit. Applicants may need or
• desire plans of augmentation and may desire to purchase water out
of Blue Mesa Reservoir to affect that plan of augmentation. In
the second category, applicants with no water rights may wish to
obtain a source of water supply by purchase from the Bureau of
Reclamation.
Following discussion by Board members, Mr. McDonald stated
that such water sales, at least during the foreseeable future,
would not deplete the state ' s compacts entitlements, despite the
Bureau ' s long-range projections . He indicated further that no
state agency has the prerogative to allocate the state ' s compact
entitlements. Rather, the water right system governs and the
State Engineer makes rules and regulations under his authority to
administer in the event of a compact call. Mr. McDonald stated
that it is not for the Board to determine to whom the Bureau
could allocate water, rather if the yield is available as
administered by the State Engineer, the question is a policy
matter. Mr. McDonald, therefore, recommended that the Board
express support for making water available for sale out of Blue
Mesa Reservoir for use in the Gunnison River Basin.
Mr. Johnston moved, seconded by Mr. Kroeger, that Mr.
McDonald' s recommendation be tabled until the January, 1984
meeting. Mr. Johnston expressed concern as to whether or not the
Board should approve complete Gunnison River drainage sales or
• whether or not there may be some limitations on the Board' s part
-15-