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<br />. <br />. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />states to provide 70,000 acre-feet of which Colorado's contribution is 10,000 acre-feet. <br />Colorado will provide its water via a groundwater re-regulation project (commonly <br />referred to as the Tamarack Project). The second phase requires the states to develop a <br />Water Action Plan for providing the remaining 60,000 to 80,000 acre-feet. The State of <br />Colorado is currently in negotiations with the other states regarding the contents .ofthis <br />Water Action Plan. <br /> <br />Colorado believes that the best means of providing its portion of additional water is <br />through groundwater re-regulation. This approach involves moving or re-timing river <br />flows from periods when flows are in excess of the compact and species needs to periods <br />when there are flow shortages. <br /> <br />Colorado is currently evaluating how it can most efficiently meet our existing and <br />potential water commitments. Staff believes that it would be prudent to consider the <br />option of constructing or modifying a surface storage facility. A surface storage facility <br />used in conjunction with groundwater re-regulation could allow Colorado to "fine tune" <br />our water management actions so that we efficiently meet our CA commitments. A <br />storage facility could also provide added benefits to help offset future depletions and <br />increase water rights administration flexibility. <br /> <br />Study Obiective <br /> <br />The proposed reconnaissance study will identify and evaluate potential water storage and <br />management options in the Lower South Platte Basin in Colorado. The study will provide <br />information that will assist in identifying structures and/or measures that could facilitate <br />Colorado's management of South Platte River flows and participation in the Three-State <br />Platte River Cooperative Agreement (CA). This information will enable decision makers <br />to evaluate the most effective means of developing and managing Colorado's water <br />commitments under the CA consistent with state law, the interstate compact and sound <br />water management principles. <br /> <br />Study ScoDe <br /> <br />The geographic focus of the Study will center on potential storage sites from the <br />Tamarack State Wildlife Area to the Nebraska state-line, within 4 miles on either side of <br />the South Platte channel. Ifhighly desirable storage sites are identified, a more detailed <br />(feasibility-level) investigation of the individual sites may be .undertaken. <br /> <br />A preliminary scope of work is attached, A more detailed list of tasks will be developed <br />prior to execution of a contract between the CWCB and a qualified consulting firm. <br /> <br />A number ofreconnaissance-Ievel investigations oflimited scope have been completed in <br />the Lower South Platte area. These previous investigations have generally been designed <br />to address the interests of individual water supply entities. A reconnaissance study . <br />conducted for the Groundwater Appropriators of the South Platte resulted in a $1,700,000 <br />authorization for the Sedgewick Augmentation Reservoir in H.B 98-1189. It is <br /> <br />2 <br />