NCWCD Ag Options Program Prog Report

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Interruptible Supply Study Progress Report August 1995 The project has been divided into three phases: background research, publJc involvement, and preparation of a final report and guidelines. The first phase involved research into the nature and structure of interruptible supply contracts and their use in other settings. ThIs phase culminated with preparation of the contractor's preliminary report in August 1994 (copy enclosed). The report has been widely disseminated to interested parties within the Northem Colorado Water Conservancy District (District), as well as to others in Colorado and elsewhere who have indicated an interest in this subject. Copies of the report were also distributed to all attendees at the 1995 Colorado Water Workshop in Gunnison. The contractor also made a presentation on dry-year options at the 1994 Water Workshop. The second phase of the project began in earnest in the fall of 1994, EarlJer, the contractor and District staff had given a presentation at the District's Spring Water Users' Meeting in March 1994. In that presentation, the nature of these option contracts and their anticipated use in connection with the Colorado-Big Thompson and Windy Gap projects was explained. and water users were told of the upcoming work to explore implementation of the contracts in the northem district, Prior to the Fall Water Users' Meeting in October. an informational brochure was prepared and sent out with the notice of the meeting. At the water users' meeting, the contractor gave a formal presentation on interruptible supply contracts. In addition, an informal question-and-answer session was held in the aftemoon, to which all attendees were invited. ThIs was the first of a series of meetings held with interested parties to provide information about the proposed contracts and solicit input from potential participants and others who might be affected by the arrangements. District staff attended a number of ditch company board and shareholders' meetings during the winter months for this purpose. Two publJc meetings (in Greeley and Fort Lupton) were held in March 1995, at which anyone who was interested was invited to come and meet with the contractor and District staff. The contractor gave a briefformal presentation on interruptible supply contracts. followed by informal discussion with the attendees. In early summer 1995. a written questionnaire was distributed to approximately 250-300 addressees. soliciting written input regarding the use of interruptible supply contracts, Between forty and fifty responses were received. Throughout the project, the contractor and members of the District's staff have met with representatives of the participants of the Windy Gap project, to obtain input from the potential purchasers under interruptible supply contracts. The public involvement phase of the project is now coming to a close. The final portion of the work w1llinvolve preparation of a report on the entire project and recommended guidelines for implementation of an interruptible supply contracts program for the Northem Colorado Water Conservancy District.