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<br />" <br /> <br />.. 000606 <br /> <br />j;;.1 <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br />Dan McAuliffe <br />January 16.2001 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />between these approaches. If the correlation is significantly positive: investigate the <br />feasibility of using net irrigation requirement data to estimate irrigated consumptive use <br />in counties, basins and subbasins not currently covered by DSS. <br /> <br />This work would be done by a research intern (half-time) under my supervision for six <br />months in the Colorado Department of Agriculture, working with CWCB staff as <br />appropriate. Estimated cost: $11 x 160 hours/month x 6 months x half-time = $5280 <br />personnel costs; $720 for materials, copying, printing, travel, etc, Total estimated cost to <br />CWCB: $6000. <br /> <br />2. Combine net irrigation requirement data with information on economic value and <br />profitability of irrigated crops to generate estimates of value and profitability in units of <br />dollars per acre-foot. Use linear programming techniques to generate scenarios that <br />maximize agricultural value and profitability with reduced levels of water for <br />agricultural use, These results could be used by the water and agricultural community to <br />explore ways to minimize the economic contraction of agriculture as water continues to <br />move out of agriculture to other uses. <br /> <br />Data collection would be done by a research intern in the Colorado Department of <br />Agriculture; linear programming would be done by faculty in the CSU Department of <br />Agricultural and Resource Economics, or a researcher of comparable experience. <br />Data collection costs: included in #1 (no additional charge); linear programming costs: <br />to be determined in consultation with potential researchers. <br /> <br />In addition, if the results of work project #I are encouraging, I recommend the following for <br />next fiscal year: <br /> <br />3. Investigate the predictive ability of this method to estimate future irrigated water <br />demand. based upon proiections of effective precipitation. This includes determining <br />from precipitation and other weather-related information whether a given year was <br />'normal' or 'dry' as defined by USDA-NRCS. If results are sound, they could be used in <br />estimating the range of possible impacts upon agriculture of future droughts. <br /> <br />This research option needs refinement after more discussion with the state climatologist <br />and staff from the CWCB, State Engineer's Office, and the Colorado Water Resources <br />Research Institute. <br /> <br />I would be happy todiscuss these options in more detail with you and staff, and to tailor <br />these ideas to more closely meet your interests and prioirities. Dan, let me know how you'd <br />like to proceed. Thanks for allowing me to submit these ideas for your consideration, <br />~/ <br />Cc: Steve Miller and Rany Seaholm, CWCB staff <br />