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<br />Chapter 17
<br />Findings, Recommendations, and Initial Implementation Steps
<br />
<br />Overview of Findings
<br />
<br />The assessment was successful in obtaining information that describes
<br />the opinions of Colorado's water users statewide, within major water
<br />basins, and within each of the segments of water use. The overall
<br />results, which are presented below, can be framed in terms of issues
<br />related to the current water situation and the future water situation.
<br />
<br />The current water situation was described in terms of:
<br />1. Limitations to current water supply,
<br />2. Current levels and types of water management planning and
<br />implementation, and
<br />3. Current drought (2000 through 2003) impacts.
<br />
<br />Opinion data collected to characterize water user distress with regard
<br />to these three areas identified the following issues of widespread
<br />concem:
<br />
<br />. Availability and reliability of water (including stored water,
<br />water for augmentation, water for ground water recharge, etc.)
<br />. Limitations of existing infrastructure (including water
<br />transmission and distribution systems, canals and ditches, etc.)
<br />. Limited use of meaningful drought and water conservation
<br />planning and implementation (which specifies conservation
<br />measures and programs) in all segments
<br />. Limited use of effective drought and water conservation tools
<br />(i.e., methods and programs) in the agricultural segment
<br />
<br />Water users indicated that meaningful and effective drought and
<br />water conservation measures and programs would need to include
<br />those components listed in Table 17-1.
<br />
<br />Table 17-1 Summary of Effective Drought and Water Conservation Tools
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Public Education and
<br />Involvement
<br />Lawn and Garden
<br />Watering Restrictions
<br />Fines and Tiered Rates
<br />for Water Use
<br />
<br />Public Education and
<br />Involvement
<br />Metering
<br />Distribution/Transmission
<br />System Leak Detection
<br />Fines and Tiered Rates
<br />for Water Use
<br />
<br />Water Conservation
<br />Cooperative Agreements/
<br />Operating Agreements
<br />
<br />Alternative Irrigation
<br />Practices (includes
<br />alternative crops and
<br />planting strategies)
<br />Lining Ditches and Canals
<br />Conjunctive Use of Surface
<br />and Ground WaterIRecycle
<br />Water
<br />Metering
<br />
<br />11/12/2003
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<br />. Public Education and
<br />Involvement
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<br />Public Education and
<br />Involvement
<br />Use of Recycled
<br />Water
<br />Alternative Irrigation
<br />Practices (includes
<br />alternative crops and
<br />planting strategies)
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