BOARD00024

• Board Meeting Date: 3/21/2002
• Description: WSP Section - Arkansas River Basin Issues: HR 1714 - Use of Excess Capacity - East Slope Facilities - FryingPan - Arkansas Project
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORl\DO

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Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721'
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone],3441
FAX: [phone],4474
wvvw.cwcb.state:co.us

January 29, 2001

Mr. Steve Arveschoug, General Manager
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
31717 United Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81001

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Dear Steve:

BiUOweos
Governor

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) appreciated the update on the status of Southeastern
Colorado Water Conservancy District's (SECWCD) S'forts to meet future water supply needs in the
Arkansas Basin that you provided itt the CWCB's meeting last week. We are encouritged both by the
processes you are using to build consensus for thes$ proposed projects throughout the state, as well as the
progress you have made to date. The Board's investment of over $100,000 in the Future Water and
Storage Needs Assessment and the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP) have been well used, and the
SECWCD and all of the study participants are to be cOmmended. '

As discussed at the conclusion of your presentation, the CWCB fully supports the SECWCD's efforts and
the measured approach taken in the PSOP to incrementally develop additional water storage for the
residents of Southeastern Colorado. In particular, the CWCB endorses the better utilization of existing
storage space at Pueblo Reservoir through revised contracting procedures with the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation. The Board also supports further feasibility and environmental studies to develop the
concept of expanding the useable storage capacity of both Pueblo and Turquoise Reservoirs. To this end
the CWCB, by'formal motion and unanimous vote, directed me' to send this letter signifying the Board's'
conceptual support for the draft federal legislation whiCh you reviewed with, us during your presentation.
. As you explained, this legislation will clearly establish that Reclamation has authority to enter intolo~~
term contracts fot storage of non-project water in the unused storage capacity at Pueblo Reservoir; and.
also authorize the necessary federal reservoir enlargement studies.

The Board also authorized the Director of the CWCB, Mr. Rod Kuharich, to work with you as the .
legislation is finalized and prepared for introduction in Congress. Please let Rod or myself know how we
can be of further assistance as you and the study participants move ahead.

Sincerely,

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Lewis H. Entz, Chairman .
Colorado Water Conservation Board

cc: CWCB Members

Flood Protection. Water Proiect Planning and Financing. Stream ann I ~kp Prntprtinn