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<br /> <br />o <br /> <br />,"' '1 <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />DeSpite this Congressional directive, I am advised that the <br />Bureau Will seek 50% non-federal funding for the study. This <br />strikes me as being in direct contravention of existing federal <br />law and clearly contrary to the specific intent of the FY 85 <br />appropriations bill. The Board should, in my opinion, strongly <br />resist the Administration's apparent position that the study will <br />not be started absent non-federal cost sharing. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />The Bureau's justification for the proposed study is based <br />on population and growth studies for the proposed Dominguez <br />Reservoir Project which estimated water shortages of 21,000 <br />acre-feet per year for the Grand Valley by 2020. Additional <br />needs for the North Fork Valley, including several communi~ies, <br />were estimated at 5,500 acre-feet per year. As indicated above, <br />these estimates were based on rapid development of energy <br />resources, principally oil shale. Since these developments have <br />not materializ~d, it is doubtful that the aforementioned <br />shortages will occur. Also, these quantities-are relatively <br />insignificant when considering the amount of water available from <br />Blue Mesa, Ruedi and Ridgway Reservoirs. Under these circum- <br />stances, I do not feel that the complete study as proposed is <br />needed or justified at this time. <br /> <br />Rather, I believe that the study should be limited to: <br />(1) characterization of the basalt aquifer and its physical <br />relationship to springs and surface flows, and (2) analysis of <br />existing water rights and proposals for exchanges and augmenta- <br />tion as suggested by Jeris Danielson. Until this information is <br />developed, and in light of the apparent lack of demand and ready <br />availability of existing water supplies, I see no need to proceed <br />any further with a study at this time, <br /> <br />Finally, I recommend that the Board decline to cost share in <br />the study. Congress has clearly expressed its intent to the <br />contrary. The Board should take the position that the Bureau <br />must initiate the study with the funds which have been <br />appropriated. Furthermore, I do not think that this study is of <br />high enough priority to merit a funding request from the Board to <br />the General Assembly. . <br /> <br />JWM/gl <br /> <br />Enclosure: as stated <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />-4- <br /> <br />July 11, 1984 <br />