BOARD01721

• Board Meeting Date: 11/22/1999
• Description: Federal Issues - Warren Act
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Shennan Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Fhone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.dnr.srate.co.us/cwcb

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Bill Owens
Governor

MEMORANDUM

GregE. Walcher
Executive Director

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Peter H. Evans
CWCB Director

FROM:

Dan McAuliffe

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

DATE:

November 16,1999

RE:

Agenda Item 21c, November 22-23, 1999 Board Meeting-
Warren Act

A number of Colorado water user organizations want Congress to amend the Warren Act

to:

. assure revenue from the sale of surplus water and storage under Warren Act contracts is
applied to project repayment and operation and maintenance costs instead of going to the
Reclamation Fund;
· allow for the storage and transportation of non-project M&I water in excess capacity, where
sponsors agree that this use will not be detrimental to the primary project purposes;
· allow project beneficiaries reasonable participation in the Warren Act contracting process;
and,
. make the acreage limitations in the Warren Act consistent with those in the Reclamation
Reform Act.

The "Family Farm Alliance" and the Bureau of Reclamation have proposed specific changes
to the Warren Act.

The Colorado River Water Conservation District, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy
District, Colorado Springs, the Pueblo Board of Water Works, and other water users groups are
discussing this issue and are trying to find common ground.

The attached materials were provided by Lee Miller who is working for the Southeastern
Colorado Water Conservancy District. Mr. Miller may be available to discuss this issue with you
at your meeting.