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<br />Babbitt Speaks at CD Conference: Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt spoke about the <br />Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission report, Water in the West: Challenge/or <br />the Next Century, which was published in June 1998, in Boulder last month: The text of the <br />Secretary's prepared presentation is attached for your information. <br /> <br />Arkansas River Basin <br /> <br />Purgatoire River Administration Workshop: On July 12, 1999 we met with <br />representatives of Kansas, the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District, District 67 water <br />users and the Bureau of Reclamation to discuss proposed amendments of the Operating <br />Principles for the Trinidad Reservoir. The PRWCD requested a set of operational improvements <br />that Kansas has been very reluctant to agree to support although the Bureau and Colorado find <br />them generally acceptable. We reported to you on these issues at considerable length last <br />January. Although little progress could be decisively identified as a result of the workshop, it is <br />important to maintain a continuous forum for the presentation of the request and scheduling of <br />issue resolution. <br /> <br />Kansas appears to be more comfortable with the revised scheduleJor delivery and <br />monitoring of 1200 AF for stockwater. However, her representatives were reluctant to make <br />such a statement until they are satisfied that progress is also being made on a procedure for <br />identification and monitoring of irrigated lands on an annual basis. PRWCD is willing to <br />stipulate to an overall cap on the area irrigated (19,499 acres) but it wants flexibility to shift <br />acreage from one ditch to another each year. PRWCD agreed to supply Kansas with a list of its <br />irrigation contracts and the areas currently irrigated by July 17 and Kansas agreed to propose a <br />procedure for verification by October 15, 1999. <br /> <br />We also made progress on a procedure for storage and release of floodwaters. Kansas <br />will propose a clarification by August 12 of the description prepared by the Division 2 Engineer, <br />Steve Witte, and it seems we may be able to reach agreement by December. The more difficult <br />question involves the PRWCD's proposal to store water during the winter. A 1985 decision by <br />the Colorado State Engineer prohibits storage except in the 20,000 af capacity of the transferred <br />Model Reservoir right, based upon an interpretation of the Operating Principles. The PRWCQ <br />relies upon a 1979 ruling of the Colorado Supreme Court and the question has been pending in <br />water court for many years. The District 67 water users will consider proposing an alternative by <br />September 15. <br /> <br />Although it is difficult for these parties to get together, I believe most of the participants <br />were somewhat encouraged by the efforts made and the possibility this schedule for work <br />products and future meetings could produce a string of small agreements. Our next workgroup <br />meeting is scheduled for October 19 in Denver. The annual Compact Administration meeting <br />next December is likely to be rescheduled for December 7 to accommodate trial proceedings in <br />Pasadena. <br /> <br />Colorado Riyer Basin <br /> <br />Proposed Miners Creek Instream Flow Modification: Staff from the CWCB attended <br />a tour of the Miners Creek diversion area hosted by the Town of Breckenridge on July 16. In <br />attendance were representatives from the Town, Summit County, the U.S. Forest Service; local <br /> <br />16 <br />