Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Colorado <br />High Plains <br />Advisory Committee <br /> <br />Colorado <br />Department of <br />Agriculture <br /> <br />1525 Sherman Street <br />Denver. Colorado 80203 <br />(303) 839-3218 <br /> <br />High Plains Stu ,. ~~~ri <br /> <br />. /'I. ). <br /> <br />G:\ . MOORANIXlM <br />N 82-75 <br /> <br />DA'IE: April 2, 1982 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />SUBJECr : <br /> <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board <br /> <br />~~th, Director, Dept. of weal Affairs <br />~coe, Executive Director, Dept. of Natural Resources <br /> <br />RECXH1ENDATIONS 00 1HE ClGALIMA AQUIFER <br /> <br />10: <br />F'RCM: <br /> <br />For the last three years, state and federal agencies and land grant uni- <br />versities in six states have been investigating the trends, causes, and <br />consequences of ground water depletion in the Ogallala Aquifer. As part <br />of this study, an Advisory Conmittee of 22 eastem Colorado fanners, <br />businessmen, legislators, local officials, and other citizens has devel- <br />oped a set of 21 reconm:mdations to address this serious issue. These <br />recoDIIEI1dations were developed through an extensive public participation <br />process, including a March 1981 cxmference to brief citizens on prelimi- <br />nary research results, six public meetings in the fall of 1981, and a <br />survey of citizens in eastem Colorado to reviSti' these recoDIIEI1dations. <br />Over 500 people have participated directly in this process. <br /> <br />'00 of the 21 reCOllllEIl.dations are directed at the Colorado Water Conser- <br />vation Board. These recomnendations are: <br /> <br />1. '!HAT 1HE STATE OF mI.DRAOO ASSIST IN F1.lNDm; A DErAn..ED FEASIBILITY' <br />STIJDY OF 1HE 1RANS-muNlY PROJF.cr. <br /> <br />In 1975 the Trans-County Project (fom=rly known as the Tri-County <br />Project) was foDIBlly proposed to divert excess flood flows frClIl the <br />South Platte to Washington, Yuma, Sedgwick, and Phillips comties in <br />northeastem Colorado. Under this proposal, approximately 200,000 <br />acre-feet of water could be delivered annually to these High Plains <br />counties for irrigation, danestic, tm.lrliciapl, industrial, and rec- <br />reational purposes. If built, the project would provide supple- <br />mental irrigation water for approximately 250,000 acres of cropland. <br /> <br />Supporters of the project recently attempted to fom a water conser- <br />vancy district but were denied the opportunity to put the matter to <br />a vote of citizens in the project area. A district Water Court judge <br />recently ruled that existing studies hadn't established the feasi- <br />bility of the Trans-County Project, and therefore, it would be pre- <br />mature to fom such a district. Project supporters have raised aver <br />$40,000 to help pay for a detailed feasibility study. At least <br />$150,000 IIDre is needed. The State of Colorado could assist by pro- <br />viding additional study funds through the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board or the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. <br />