PROJ00091

• Contract/PO #: C153706
• Contractor Name: Lower Arkansas Water Management Association
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 67
• County: Prowers
• Bill Number: SB 96-124
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Task 6 - FormulatinQ a final replacement plan.

The final step in this study will be to develop a detailed plan for the replacement of
well depletions. The plan probably will involve a combination of exchanges (both existing and
proposed), acquisition of water and water rights, and the construction of recharge or other
water resource facilities. It will prioritize potential water sources and water rights from the
standpoints of yield in replacement water and cost. The plan will probably form the basis for
an additional request for the Water Conservation Board for financial assistance to put the
project into operation.

PROJECT BENEFITS

The successful completion of lA WMA' s replacement project will provide direct benefits
to its members and will help resolve some difficult administrative problems. lAWMA believes
that this can be accomplished without causing a significant adverse impact on the economy
of the local area and the state.

lAWMA's members will be the direct beneficiaries of the replacement project. They
will benefit by having the full, continued use of their wells for agricultural, municipal, and
commercial purposes. This will help to maintain current levels of agricultural production in the
area and should help to maintain or enhance the value of irrigated land. Obviously, municipal
water is necessary to preserve the cities and towns in the area as viable places to live.
Anything less than the full use of these wells will result in declines in the economy of the
area. The project also will make it easier for lAWMA to accept new members into its
association under reasonable terms with respect to levels of coverage and the payment of
back dues.

The successful completion of lA WMA' s replacement project should reduce or eliminate
the need to amend the Rules and Regulations with respect to its members, by providing
replacement water to the senior water rights on the Arkansas River and its tributaries. It also
could help to reduce the problems with Kansas over the pumping of post-compact wells.

Some of the options that will be considered for inclusion into the replacement project
may involve cooperative ventures with the Water Conservation Board, the Division of Wildlife,
Colorado Water Development and Protective Association, or other entities. The inclusion of
such ventures into the project could produce significant recreational, fish and wildlife, water
quality, or other environmental benefits.

PROJECT STAFF

lAWMA will be assisted in development of the Replacement Project by its engineering
consultants, HELTON & WilLIAMSEN, P.C., and by its legal counsel. Both will provide
services as directed by the lA WMA Board of Directors consistent with this application, and
both will make frequent reports to the lAWMA Board of Directors.

Duane D. Helton, of HELTON & WilLIAMSEN, P.C. will serve as project manager and
will be in charge of the engineering analyses and assessments. He will be assisted as
necessary by other employees of the firm. Mr. Helton is very familiar with water uses and

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