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<br />3. To the extent that these identified M&l proiects are not successfullv implemented. <br />Colorado will see a signjficantlv greater reduction in irrigated agricultural lands <br />as M&I water providers seek additional permanent transfers of agricultural water <br />rights to provide for the demands that would otherwise have been met bv specific <br />proiects and processes. <br />4. Supplies are not necessarilv where demands are; localized shortages exist. <br />especiallv in headwater areas. and compact entitlements in some basins are not <br />fullv utilized. <br />5. Increased reliance on nonrenewable. nontributarv groundwater for permanent <br />water suPpJv brings serious reliable and sustainability concerns in some areas. <br />particularlv along the Front Range. <br />6. In-basin solutions can help resolve the remaining 20 percent gap between M&l <br />water supplv and demand. but there will be tradeoffs and impacts on other users- <br />especiallv agriculture and the environment. <br />7 . Water conservation (bevond Levell) will be relied upon as a maior tool for <br />meeting future M&I demands, but conservation alone cannot meet all of <br />Colorado's future M&I needs. Significant water conservation has alreadv <br />occurred in manv areas. <br />8. Environmental and recreational uses of water are expected to increase with <br />population growth. These uses help support Colorado's tourism industry, provide <br />recreational and environmental benefits for our citizens. and are an important <br />industry in manv parts of the state. Without a mechanism to fund environmental <br />and recreational enhancement bevond the proiect mitigation measures required bv <br />law. conflicts among M&I. agriculture, recreational. and environmental users <br />could intensiry. <br />9. The ability of smaller. rural water providers and agricultural water users to <br />adeQuatelv address their existing and future water needs is significantlv affected <br />bv their financial abilities. <br />10. While SWSI evaluated water needs and solutions through 2030, verv few M&I <br />provides have identified supplies bevond 2030. Bevond 2030. growing demands <br />mav require more aggressive solutions. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />SWSI Kev Recommendations <br />. I. Ongoing dialogue among all water interest is needed to help ensure wise <br />management of Colorado's water resources. <br />2. Track and support identified proiects and processes as thev plav a critical role <br />in meeting Colorado's future M&I needs. <br />3. Develop a program to evaluate. Quantify. and prioritize environmental and <br />recreational water enhancement goals. <br />4. Work toward consensus recommendations on funding mechanisms for <br />environmental and recreational enhancements. <br />5. Create a common understanding of future water supplies available for <br />development in each basin. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />Preliminary Draft <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />July 12, 2006 <br />Rev. 1 Julv 17_2006 <br />