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<br />Alternatives Evaluated <br /> <br />A range of alternatives were considered on how to generate an <br />augmentation supply for the LDC including 1) don't build a <br />project and continue to solely rely upon GASP for augmentation, <br />2) purchase a senior water right and use it for augmentation, or <br />3) construct a series of recharge ponds and an augmentation well <br />to generate the needed augmentation credits. <br /> <br />A subjective evaluation of the alternatives follows: <br /> <br />1. Don't build a project: <br /> <br />If a project were not pursued, the LDC would continue to <br />solely rely upon GASP for augmentation. Even though GASP has <br />provided augmentation coverage for the past 30 years, there <br />is no certainty of total augmentation coverage with the GASP <br />plan. Supplies currently used to augment the 13 LDC wells <br />are entirely secured by'GASP on a one year lease basis. If <br />any of these leases are not renewed or can not be renewed <br />because of the extreme drought conditions, the LDC could not <br />operate their wells. This would be an annual loss of <br />approximately 1,200 acre feet of irrigation water. This <br />event, if it occurred, could lead to a major loss of crops <br />under the LDC system. This alternative a one time may have <br />been considered acceptable but due to the continuing changes <br />in the water community this is no longer an acceptable <br />alternative. <br /> <br />2. Purchase a senior water right and use it for <br />augmentation: <br /> <br />This alternative is currently used by many front range <br />municipalities for the very same reason. The City of Parker <br />has even purchased water rights near the LDC for augmenting <br />environmental issues they have. An available water right for <br />sale in the area could come with the purchase of a farm <br />controlling the Ramsey Ditch. The Ramsey Ditch is a 12 cfs <br />direct flow right with a date of August 1894. In order to <br />obtain the water right, the entire farm would have to be <br />purchased at a price of $1.25 million. This price does not <br />even include the legal fees associated with converting the <br />water right over to augmentation use. This alternative may <br />be financially acceptable to someone like Parker but not to <br />the LDC. <br /> <br />Feasibility Study <br />Lowline Ditch Company <br />Recharge Project <br />December 2002 <br /> <br />6 <br />