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<br />000521Q3ge 9 . <br />" t1ecember 4, 197 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br />ISSUE NO.4 <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br />or reg\ated <br /> <br />to provide for <br /> <br />S (wuld storage decrees be curtailed <br />some contribution to the compact deliveries? <br /> <br />YES <br /> <br />1. The compact commitments for delivery of water to the <br />New Mexico state line is an obligation of each and every water right <br />in the San Luis Valley, including the junior storage rights, <br /> <br />2. By permitting upstream storage even during the off-irrigation <br />season, downstream senior rights are injured because had that water <br />not been stored, it would have contributed to the deliveries at the <br />Lobatos Gaging Stat ion and relieved senior water rights of curtail- <br />ment during the irrigation season. <br /> <br />NO <br /> <br />1. The economic impact of complete shut off of storage would <br />be disastrous to the San Luis Vaney. <br /> <br />2. When watAr is stored in priority, such water, <lnder <br />Colorado Water Law, belongs to the Gwner of the storage right. <br /> <br />3, Without this stored water for late season use, irrigated <br />agriculture economy of the San Luis Valley would be irreparably damaged. <br /> <br />4. Storage water when released and applied to irrigated <br />acreages through surface ditches maintain the ground water table <br />so that those areas dependent on ground water withdrawal can <br />survi ve. <br /> <br />5. By proper manipulation of upstream storage space, damaging <br />floods downstream can be mitigated or eliminated, <br /> <br />STATE ENGINEER'S POSITION <br /> <br />Storage decrees unquestionably are obligated to contribute to <br />compact deliveries at the state line. The advantages of upstream storage are <br />many, including extension of the irrigation season to grow crops which would <br />otherwise not be possible. The State Engineer's position is that a percentage <br />of this stored water should be declared to be stored "out of priority" according <br />to Section 148-11-25(1), This would provide a "cushion" which could be used <br />in the la tter part of the irrigation season or during th8 fall and winter months <br />if the water was needed to meet compact commitments. <br />