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<br />~....~." ")0 <br />Uv'_ j <br /> <br />I. Introduction <br /> <br />A provision of the Water Conservation Act of 199'1, HB 91-1154, directed the <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to "conduct' an analysis of water salvage <br />which may result from federal programs, including salinity control, and report its findings <br />to the General Assembly by January 1, 1992." Section 37-60-106.5, C.RS. This report <br />contains the analysis to support CWCB's findings which are provided in a separate document <br />and fulfills the initial obligation to report to the General Assembly. Since HB 91-1154 did <br />not contain specific instructions concerning the scope of the analysis, this report assumes the <br />General Assembly was interested in a broad overview. CWCB anticipates that the General <br />Assembly may seek additional follow up information after reviewing this report and would <br />welcome an opportunity to work further with the General Assembly on the complex issues <br />raised by efforts to salvage irrigation water and more generally improve the efficiency of <br />water use in Colorado. <br /> <br />Staff initially focused the analysis on recent proposals (HE 91-1110, SB 86-126) <br />brought before the General Assembly to modify or clarify the law regarding irrigation <br />efficiency improvements. Those proposals sought to recognize or create a transferable water <br />right based on reduced irrigation use, believing that such a right would provide an incentive <br />for existing users to improve the efficiency of their systems. Comparing the proposals <br />highlighted a key problem in irrigation efficiency improvement proposals, namely whether <br />a reduction in diversions should result in a credit to the original appropriator or should such <br />a credit only be granted for reductions in historical consumptive use. <br /> <br />bj247a.ana <br /> <br />1. <br />