Laserfiche WebLink
<br />attachment item 3 <br /> <br />ARKANSAS RIVER COORDINATING COMMITTEE <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />MEETING SUMMARY <br />SEPTEMBER 22, 1994 <br /> <br />The first meeting of the Arkansas River Coordinating Committee was held in La Junta on September <br />22, 1994. Most of the Committee members were in attendance or represented. <br /> <br />General Agenda <br /> <br />Welcome and charge to the Committee <br />Jim Lochhead welcomed the committee and described how the group was fonned: by Executive Order, <br />and why: 1) to advise and make recommendations to the State Engineer for development and <br />implementation of necessary rules, 2) to make recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and State <br />Engineer of appropriate remedy for any fmdings of past depletions to Kansas for which we must provide <br />compensation, and 3) to coordinate with the Lower Arkansas River Commission so that the development <br />of a State Park in southeastern Colorado does not conflict over water needs for park purposes and also <br />to satisfy demands from Kansas. <br /> <br />Co-chair Chuck Lile recognized the Arkansas River Compact Administration members and asked them <br />to describe their expectations of the Committee. Janles Rogers said that he expects to have to make a <br />decision sooner or later, and hopes to work with upstream water users and the State of Colorado to <br />achieve a workable decision. Carl Genova said he hopes for productive work from the Committee. <br /> <br />eO-Chair Hal Simpson thanked the Committee members for their participation. He said that he could <br />wait for the Kansas lawsuit to conclude, but prefers to be proactive in preparation foJ" additional rulings <br />from the Special Master and the final ruling by the SlIpreme Court. He said that he seeks advice from <br />this Committee on methods to solve problems, sees it as an opportunity to communica~e, and noted the <br />amount of expertise at the table that could be drawn upon to develop solutions. <br /> <br />Chuck Lile said that he appreciated the attendance of the Committee members especially in light of <br />work demands and travel distances. He said that he is concerned with protecting the economy of the <br />valley, and seeks the iIlput and ideas of Committee members to build a coordinated effort to work in <br />that direction. The duty of the Compact Administration is to achieve compliance with the Conipact, <br />but as the third member of the Administration he's looking for solutions that have consensus. <br /> <br />Briefmg on status of litigation with Kansas <br />David Robbins, Special Assistant Attorney General, provided the briefmg and answered questions. <br /> <br />Kansas fIled their complaint in 1985, and after extensive preparation, we went to trial in 1990, and with <br />some intervening delays, concluded the initial phase of trial in 1992. Trial was held before a Special <br />Master appointed by the Supreme Court. The Special Master issued his report in July 1994 which will <br />be forwarded to the Supreme Court when it reconvenes in October. The Suprellle Court's likely <br />briefmg schedule may require briefs fIled in early 1995, with a possible oral argument in Spring 1995 <br />A>n exceptions" (the two parties disagreements with the Special Master's Te[.ort). The Special Master's <br />~rt may be accepted, rejected, or modified by the Supreme Court, but there is no appeal from the <br />Court's decision. <br />