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Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 9 <br /> May 16, 2025 <br /> will also be sought for the draft rules. Dryland wheat has been struggling in the <br /> district, while irrigated wheat and corn has been looking good. Mr. Tietmeyer noted <br /> that the district is prioritizing a ground water monitoring program that will seek some <br /> amount of funding from CWCB. Mr. Tietmeyer notified the Commission that the first <br /> deep Laramie-Fox Hills domestic well was recently completed in the Northern part of <br /> the district, and Mr. Tietmeyer believes this action may indicate water level declines <br /> in the shallower aquifers. Mr. Tietmeyer would also like to include the Laramie-Fox <br /> Hills aquifer as part of a planned future monitoring program. Mr. Tietmeyer concluded <br /> his remarks with an update that he is working to establish a working relationship with <br /> Wyoming water officials for the partnership on issues related to water uses in aquifers <br /> shared by Wyoming and his district. Mr. Tietmeyer added that he is also seeing some <br /> water users in the district irrigating high consumption crops and exporting water in <br /> the same year, which is concerning and something the district is looking into. <br /> Ms. Kosloff mentioned that the DWR Hydrogeology Team would be a good resource for <br /> the district's planned well monitoring program. <br /> Mr. Grimes responded that after the Durango meeting last August, Staff had put <br /> together a memo to address conservation efforts in districts. The memo has not been <br /> presented yet due to some pending cases involving these same issues. Mr. Grimes does <br /> not want there to be conflict between the memo and pending cases, so the memo will <br /> be presented once the cases have been resolved. <br /> Ms. Deb Daniel, reporting for the Republican River Water Conservation District, was <br /> not in attendance. However, a written report for the District was read by <br /> Commissioner Pautler. Commissioner Pautler reported that the 2025 Conservation <br /> Reserve Enhancement Program ("CREP") program is now available and accepting <br /> applications for contracts. The deadline for submitting applications is June 6tn <br /> Commissioner Pautler thanked Joanna Williams for her service to the Commission, and <br /> welcomed incoming Commissioner Kinnison. Commissioner Pautler reported that over <br /> 17,120 acres of irrigated land has been retired in the South Fork Focus Zone. A $6 <br /> million dollar grant has been applied for through CWCB, and the district was included <br /> in the projects bill recently passed by the legislature. The projects bill will greatly <br /> assist the district with retiring additional irrigated acreage in the South Fork Focus <br /> Zone, and maintain compact compliance. Commissioner Pautler mentioned that the <br /> economic impact study of the Republican River basin is being worked on by a team led <br /> by Colorado State University, and the study should be completed by the end of the <br /> year for presentation of findings to the State legislature. The district is also seeking <br /> additional federal funding for the expansion of the compact pipeline. The district was <br /> not able to secure more funding for the Bonny Dam project, but plans on continuing <br /> to seek financial assistance through congressionally directed spending. The district <br /> fee committee will hold a meeting in early June to discuss proposed changes in fees <br /> for water users inside the district. Commissioner Pautler concluded his report by <br /> mentioning that the district has been dry so far this year, and will be reliant on <br /> irrigation for agriculture. <br />