BOARD00034

• Board Meeting Date: 5/23/2005
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District (PRWCD): We received two requests for
assistance from the District involving enhanced gaging and monitoring of district water supplies
and deliveries and a study of storage options to improve exchange opportunities with the
mainstem. We will work with the District during the next fiscal year to locate funds for those
activities. In addition, Reclamation has announced the commencement of a new Ten Year
Review of the Trinidad Project as required by the project Operating Principles. The goal of the
review is to determine whether injury to downstream water users, including Kansas, has occurred
and to identify operations that could enhance the beneficial use of project water without causing
injury.

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Arkansas Valley Conduit: On Friday May 13 we were notified that Senator Allard is preparing
a new bill seeking authorization for the conduit, and providing a mechanism for federal funding
and cooperation between the Corps of Engineers and Reclamation in building the project. The
SECWCD would be the lead non-federal entity under the proposal. The bill contemplates 80%
federal funding and may also provide for federal loans for the anticipated 20% local share.
Senator Allard's staff is seeking comment from interested parties and the public before finalizing
the bill. There may eventually be a role for the Board's construction fund in helping to finance
the local share.

Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project: The City of Pueblo officially opened its new kayak
park on the Arkansas River on May 6. The Legacy Project was constructed for $9.3 million with
funding from the US Army Corps of Engineers and local interests and involves river restoration .
activities from Pueblo Dam through the City, a reach of 7.5 miles_ The kayak park located at the
lower end of this reach is the basis for the City's RICD application pending in Div. 2 Water
Court. During the opening weekend other water users, pursuant to negotiated IGA's, voluntarily
modified operations under their senior water rights to provide an additional 400-500 cfs of flow
to the park. .

Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District: At its April21't meeting three new
board members were sworn in: Reed Dils representing Chaffee County, Howard Miller
representing Otero County, and Carl McClure representing Crowley County. Outgoing board
members Ron Ascherman, Glenn Everett, and Orville Tornkey were thanked for the long years
of dedicated service. In addition, Wally Stealey from Pueblo County was elected President of
the Board. The CWCB is providing $25,000 in financial assistance for a recreation study with
Lake County and other interested parties as part of the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP).
A consultant to conduct the study will be selected shortly, and the study completion is planned
for Nov. 2005. The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (SEWCD) and its Water
Activity Enterprise holds regular board meetings the third Thursday of each month. Meetings
are held at the District office, 31717 United Avenue in Pueblo. The next meeting will be on May
19.

Colorado Springs Utilities Announced Government Affairs Liaison Vacancy: The Colorado
Springs Utilities conducted an employment search for its vacant Government Affairs Liaison.
The position was described as representing Colorado Springs Utilities in establishing and
maintaining positive business relationships with state and federal policy makers and their staff
and with utility trade associations; monitoring and reviewing federal and state legislative actions,
resolutions, and regulations while assessing the potential impact to Colorado Springs Utilities;

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