Y-W-G Final Minutes 10-17-07

• Basin Roundtable: Yampa/White
• Title: October 07 Minutes
• Date: 10/17/2007
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Minutes

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIl2ECTORS
OF THE PAMPA-WHITE ROUNDTABLE
HELD IN CRAIG, COLORADO ON
OCTOBER 17, 2007
Chairman Tom Sharp called the meeting to order. Introductions were made. Dianne Hoppe the
President of Colorado Foundation for Water Education distributed "The Citizen's Guide to
Denver Basin Ground Water" and briefly discussed this publication.
The minutes from July 18, 2007 were approved.
Dan Birch gave the IBCC report. The last meeting was in September in Longmont. The IBCC
focus is the water supply availability study on the Colorado River and its tributaries. The first
phase of this study is projected to be finished in 2009 and the second phase in 2010. The study
will attempt to determine how much water is available in the Colorado River and its tributaries.
This will probably be a range based on more or less conservative assumptions. The impact of
climate change will be considered.
Conmments on the scope of work of this study were solicited from the roundtable members but
none were offered. Tom Sharp commented on proposed State Engineer compact curtailment
rules. There was a discussion of how a compact curtailment might be administered in light of
decision of State Engineer to consider promulgation of n~les. If curtailment is administered on a
priority system; this is problematic for the Yampa Basin.
The Energy Development Water Needs Assessment Scoping (this is joint project with the
Colorado Basin Roundtable) was discussed. Study is intended to be comprehensive and cover
direct and indirect demands. This $300,000 joint application with the Colorado Basin
Roundtable was approved in March by CWCB. URS was selected by the two roundtables and
has started work on phase one. There are many variables on demand analysis based on
uncertainty of energy development. Amid-range of energy development may be selected. First
phase of this study is proposed to be finished in six months and the second phase one year later.
Proposed work plan for study of agricultural needs was discussed. It was suggested this should
include impact of exercise of conditional rights on the White and climate change. What happens
if agricultural water runoff occurs earlier because of climate change? The revised study is
budgeted at $201,000. This would be paid by the Basin account. There was some discussion
regarding the risk of doing redundant work on various pending studies. Eric Hecox says that
they are cogiuzant of the risk of duplicated work and steps will be taken to avoid that. Proposed
agricultural needs assessment was approved by motion for $201,000 from the
Yampa/White/Green Basin Account including tasks 3 &4.
The Morrison Creek Reservoir feasibility study was discussed. The consultants are ready to start
work. Field work to start the week of October 22, 2007.