BOARD00607

• Board Meeting Date: 11/22/1999
• Description: Directors' Reports
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

e

e

e

maguitude of the source(s) of the non-point source pollution and prioritize efforts based on the magnitude
of the problem rather than focusing on specific industry or industries.

Bill Brown, CWCB South Platte Representative and Greg Walcher, Executive Director of
DNR provided interesting comments during their keynote luncheon presentations. Both Bill and Greg
provide big picture perspectives on the importance of the South Platte as we face the multiple challenges
of growth, economic prosperity, and maintaining diversification our economy. Greg emphasized his
desire to try to more proactive and effective in ESA compliance. ESA has not shown a good track record
of actually recovering any species. Greg would like to see better results in a shorter timeframe and voiced
his commitment to try to have Colorado be a leader in helping bring about these positive changes.

Chatfield Reallocation Study: The Board received its fully executed Contract between the
CWCB and the Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, for the Chatfield Reallocation Study in October,
1999. Our respective staffs have spent a huge amount of time bringing the Contract to fruition. We
appreciate this effort. By a telephone conference on November 3, 1999, the Corps and CWCB selected a
study contractor to perform the study tasks for the 36-month contract. A joint news release regarding the
study will be issued in the very near future. This study project should prove to be a very interesting and
challenging one for interested parties. Are there water supply storage opportunities in the existing
Chatfield Reservoir? The study findings will yield the answers!

Extreme Precipitation Study: On October 26, 1999, CSU presented the Technical Review
Committee with its initial assessment of the basic data that will be the basis for the development of a
"State Extreme Precipitation Model" for regions above 5000 feet MSL. CSU is very enthusiastic about
the project. The theory for the forecast model is an investigation of the dynamics of storms and a
determination of "why they occur where they occur," and "where can they occur in the future." The
National Weather Service (NWS) is interested in the Colorado project. The NWS presently uses the
theory of transposition and maximization for large storm events.

Central Platte Negotiations: Reclamation is holding negotiating sessions to renew long term
water supply contracts with the Republican River Irrigation Districts. Actual negotiations will be
conducted between, and limited to, representatives from Reclamation and each of the Districts. Upon
completion of negotiations, the final draft contracts wiU be advertised for review and the public will have
an opportunity to comment before they are signed. For further information contact Judy O'SulJivan, Public
Involvement Specialist at: PO Box 1607, Grand Island, NE 68802, phone [phone] (Ext. 211), or
[e-mail].

Weld County Drainage Planning: On Nov. 16 Weld County held a meeting in Frederick
concerning an 1-25 Corridor Master Drainage Plan. The county is expected to send us a letter supporting a
Tri-Area Sanitation District Project that could be presented to the board and funded through the
Construction Fund. We will keep you apprised of developments as they occur.

Rio Grande River Basin

Reclamation, Corps Assess Effects Of Federal Actions On Middle Rio Grande Endangered
Species: Reclamation and the Corps have completed a programmatic biological assessment of federal
discretionary actions related to water management 011 the middle Rio Grande in New Mexico. The
assessment focuses on the Rio Grande silvery minnow, southwestern willow flycatcher, and bald eagle,

17