Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Agriculture <br />Jeff Tranel, representing Colorado State University, reported that the 2005 irrigated crops were about the <br />same as in the past. The non-irrigated are dry. Plantings for wheat crops are down significantly. October <br />2005 moisture helped, but dry conditions since have caused blowing dirt. The Colorado eastern plains' <br />fanners believe if current dry conditions persist, this year's wheat crop will be lost. The Arkansas Basin <br />and eastern plains are experiencing extremely dry conditions. <br /> <br />Tourism <br />The Tourism Impact Task Force did not have a representative in attendance at this meeting, therefore no <br />update was provided. <br /> <br />Wildlife <br />Mary Halstead, representing the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), stated there were no problems <br />that she was aware of to repon at this time. DOW now has revised its website. It includes a new section <br />on drought that will be updated as necessary. <br /> <br />Robin Knox, representing the CDOW, explained that state fisheries have not changed much, but there are <br />isolated fish production facilities throughout the state such as in the San Luis Valley and in the southwest <br />that remain a concern. These facilities are on groundwater systems which seem to be experiencing drops <br />in water levels. However, because reservoir storage is up currently, fisheries are not experiencing any <br />direct effects from climate and hydrological conditions. <br /> <br />Energy <br />The Energy Impact Task Force representative did not provide a report for this meeting. <br /> <br />Health <br />The Health Impact Task Force did not have a representative in attendance at this meeting, therefore no <br />update was provided. <br /> <br />Economic <br />The Economic Impact Task Force did not have a representative in attendance at this meeting, therefore no <br />update was provided. <br /> <br />Comments from Water Providers <br />Rick Marsicek, City of Aurora, reported that Aurora is currently at 62% of its reservoir capacity, which is <br />15% above last year. Recovery from the 2002 drought is occurring gradually. Aurora will determine <br />later if it will need to implement water restrictions this year. <br /> <br />Citizen Comments <br />?vir. Jack Truby expressed his concern and frustration on the lack of federal assistance that Colorado <br />received during the 2002 drought. 'TheW ATF should W01'k to identifY where the economic losses <br />occurred in order to appropriately seek financial assistance from the federal government. <br /> <br />Ms. Andrea Ray, (editor/writer) of the Intermountain West Climate Summary, distributed copies and <br />discussed the summary at the meeting. She said it is a summary of conditions and f01'ecasts of the <br />intermountain west and is a product of \Vestern "later Associates. It brings together information from the <br />NRCS, CPC, the State Climatologist, Klaus Wolter's forecast, and other expeJimemal climate services, Tt <br />will be published again in MaTch, and can be found on the following website: http://wwa.colorado.edu. <br />