BOARD01453

• Board Meeting Date: 1/25/2005
• Description: WSP Section - Statewide Water Supply Initiative ‎(SWSI)‎ Status Update
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Section 11
Implementation
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The difficulty in developing that common understanding
goes 10 the very root of 1M values and Interests that
people hold In regard to their water future. Water
providers assume an advocacy role when asked that
questlon, Interpreling the answer With their customers'
and stalo:,eholders' Interests In mind

Nvl untit,' 1.:.1n mO'te beyond these pOSitions to one
where a thoughtlul dialogue can take place. will we
~now the answer to ,his question Yet. It IS a critical
questlon, and too Important to not probe further. BaSin
Roundtables should continue to explore thiS Issue. and
determine whether It IS poSSible to move sta~eholders
beyond an advocacy role and develop a consensus on
hOw much water we have that can be developed The
answer IS too Important to our collective water future 10
not make 1I11s elfort.

In addition. the section should

. Work to ensure supplies available under compacts
remain available to meet future water needs

. Make recommendations to the Board about tile need
for future project reconnaissance and feasibility
sludles that can aid the state In meeting needs.
WithOut Simply relYing on water suppliers to request
such support.

. Identify and explOit federal funding opportunllies

l' .6A Instrearr Flow and Natural cake
cecel Protection Tasks

Preserving the natural enVIronment of streams and lal(es.
conSistent With the doclnne of
prior appropnatlons and the
laws of the state, IS a pnonty
for Colorado. The CWCS's
Instream Flow Program
managed by the CWCB has
been the pnm3ry means by
which thiS Objective has been
pursued, Since Its crealJon m
19i3. the program has
resulted Intl'1e appropnatlon of
mstream

~:

CDM

11.i2

flow ....ater rights on more tnan 8.000 miles of streams
and 475 natura! lak;:es In the state.

There was Interest among some of the BaSin
Roundtables to further enhance trle flows lor
enVlronmenta! and recreatIOnal purposes beyond !t1e
Instream flow program. and In developing new and
creative meChanisms to achieve thiS goal. The key to
doing .hi:;; Ires in involving aU key stakeholders in
thiS discussion - environmen:31 rnterests.
recreational achocates agricultlJre, mUnicipal. and
rndustrial. In adaitlon It IS imperan'te that these
s:akeholders sm'tc for balance rn how this goat is
achieved

In developing new water proJects, this Program also was
Identified as having an Importanl role to play_

. CWCB should Identify stream segments or ecological
areas for now pnontlzallon or enhancement. WOri<.lng
tnrough the BaSin Rounatable process. the CDOW.
and other Interest groups. the state could begin to
develop an Objective and reprodUCible framework for
evalualtng. quantlfyrng. and priOritiZing envrronmental
and recreatiOnal water goals ThiS program could
build Irom the eXisting authorrtles of the CWCB
Instream flow program and tile .conserve. protect.
and restore" approach brought forth through many of
tile SWSI BaSin Roundtable diSCUSSions

. Pnonlize the need for Instream flo..... and natural lake
protection to COincide With SWSI related plans

. Use tile program 10 provide regulatory stability to help
water suppliers meet permiltmg requirements

. Make recommendations to
tt1e Board about the need
for future prOject
reconnaissance and
feaSibility studies that can
aid tile state In meeting
needs_ wlthoul Simply
relYing on watersupplrers
to request such support

. Idenlifyand exp!OItfederal
funding opportunlUes

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