Laserfiche WebLink
<br />O..,~".')rl <br />U % II ','-' <br /> <br />/ <br /> <br />Following initial discussions with the Board it was decided to expand the scope of the <br />analysis to better indicate that water salvage is only one aspect of a variety of activities <br />being considered to better conserve and manage both the quality and quantity of the surface <br />and groundwater water available for current and future use statewide in Colorado. If <br />specific rights to salvage water are to be recognized or created a balancing of complex <br />factors must be undertaken. Accordingly, this analysis attempts to place water salvage <br />within the context of better use of scarce water resources and to present the interrelated <br />technical, legal, and environmental issues that must be balanced. <br /> <br />The Board understood that an underlying reason for the General Assembly's request <br />was a concern with the water development issues arising on the Colorado River near Grand <br />Junction which HB 91-1110 sought to address. The Board recognized that competing <br />demands for Colorado River water and the current activities of the Federal Salinity Control <br />Program in the Grand Valley had created a situation requiring closer examination. Thus <br />a second report has been prepared, addressing salvage potentials and water supply options <br />in the Grand Valley. That supplemental report presents water salvage issues in a more <br />concrete setting, and more importantly may lead to negotiations for a solution of that <br />particular situation. <br /> <br />The analysis herein, focuses on water use efficiency improvements and disposition of <br />the water which may result from such activities. The terminology, both legal and technical, <br />and the processes used to improve irrigation efficiency in particular, and other uses more <br />generally, are described. Federal programs which may produce salvage water, as well as <br />other stimuli to more efficient use are presented. The current legal framework surrounding <br />water use and efficiency changes is reviewed. The resource impacts of changing water use <br />efficiency are then described in general terms. Finally this analysis sets out what tbe Board <br />believes to be the major policy questions and issues to be resolved through the legislative <br />process. <br /> <br />2 <br />