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<br />. BACKGROUND <br /> <br />The original purpose of the project was to "develop an integrated paleobiological and <br />geological framework for the Upper Cretaceous and lower Tertiary rocks in the Denver Basin <br />using a multi-disciplinary approach of paleontology (plant megafossils and palynomorphs), <br />magnetostratigraphy, and lithostratigraphy." Upon further review however, the applicants <br />thought that several other sciences and interests could be served by the available core samples, <br />including a geo-hydrologic analysis of the core. <br /> <br />Several other water related agencies have been solicited for interest and financial support <br />of this project. To date, local water providers have verbally committed to approximately <br />$42,000 in support of the geo-hydrologic analysis. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has <br />committed to store the core and produce a published report on the hydrologic aspect of the Elbert <br />County Research project. A list of supporting and collaborating organizations is listed in the <br />application. <br /> <br />Mr. Bob Raynolds, Ph.D. and Mr. Kirk Johnson, Ph.D., co-project managers for the <br />DMNH will give a brief project presentation and answer questions at the Board meeting. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This proposed project comes on the heels of the nearly completed SB96-74 Denver Basin <br />Aquifer and South Platte River Basin Technical Study and the SB96-l53 Economic Life of the <br />Denver Basin Aquifer Study. Both of these CWCB funded studies could have benefited from the <br />information to be derived from this study. However, both studies are nearing completion with no <br />current anticipated legislative proposal to fund a continuation of either. Therefore, any new <br />information derived from this 1999-2001 effort would have to be incorporated into some other <br />ongoing study or analysis at that time. As an example, a South Platte River Decision Support <br />System may be in development during the period. <br /> <br />It is clear that the geo-hydrologic data obtained from this study will benefit the <br />understanding of the Denver Basin aquifers. It is however not part of a construction project <br />which will directly benefit the water users of the state, nor is the scope of the study solely water <br />related. The CWCB participated with the USGS in a similar groundwater specific yield study of <br />a Castle Pines test well between 1988-93 for a total cost share of$133,000. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The CWCB is authorized in: <br />. Section 37-60-l06(1)(d) CRS "to gather data and information looking toward the greater <br />utilization of the waters of the state and '" for this purpose to make investigations and <br />surveys. " <br />. Section 37-60-115(3) CRS "The CWCB is further authorized and directed ..., to study the <br />state's ground water resource, particularly that water that may prove to be nontributary, <br />both within the Denver basin and throughout the state, including nontributary ground water <br />quality. "', <br />