DWR_3348282

• Board or Commission: Colorado Ground Water Commission
• Document Type - Board and Commission Meetings: Meeting Document
• Document Date: 8/16/2002
• Subject: MEETING MATERIALS

August 5, 2002

MEMORANDUM

TO: Ground Water Commission Members

FROM: Suzanne M. Sellers, Designated Basins Team

SUBJECT: Administration of Rotational Acres

Current Status of Rotational Acres:

Currently, a well owner may apply for rotational acres under Commission Rule 7.4.2 which requires some administration. The applicant signs a statement stating that they agree to the
following administration:

Installation of a totalizing flow meter
Reporting of planned irrigation at beginning of each season
Monthly meter readings by well owner, available to Commission and GWMD upon request

Results of GWMD Survey:

In May 2002, a survey was sent to each GWMD for their recommendations to the Ground Water Commission on whether one of the following administration procedures should be applied to future
changes of water rights for rotational acres:
□ Require meter administration through a third party as required for an Increase of Irrigated Acres (Rule 7.5.4);
□ Limit wells to historical use (and require third party administration) as required for an Increase of Irrigated Acres (Rule 7.5); or
□ No additional administration.

The results of this survey are attached and summarized in Table 1 below. No comments were received from the Arikaree, Upper Black Squirrel Creek, Lost Creek, North Kiowa-Bijou, Sandhills
or Southern High Plains GWMDs.

Table 1. Results of the GWMD Survey on Rotational Acres Administration
No. of GWMDS in Favor of Recommendation Recommendations for Rotational Acres GWMDS in Favor 3 Increased meter administration only East Cheyenne, Frenchman, Marks Butte, 3 Limit wells
to historical use & increased meter administration Central Yuma, Plains, W-Y 1 No additional administration Upper Big Sandy
Potential Commission Action

To address Historic Use Limitations the following potential actions are available:

For the Commission to implement a historic use limitation on rotational acres throughout the Designated Basins. This action would require a rule change.

For the Commission to implement a historic use limitation on rotational acres for certain Districts. A rule change may be required to incorporate local district rules into the Commission
rules regarding rotational acres.

As a second alternative for the Commission to implement a historic use limitation on rotational acres for certain Districts, the Commission may direct Staff to consider local district
rules relating to rotational acres when processing applications via an intergovernmental agreement with certain districts.

To address Third Party Administration the following action may be available:

The increased administration by a third party could be implemented under the current Rule 7.4.2, via a procedural memorandum to Staff.

Staff Recommendations:

Based the poll, the majority of the GWMDs are in favor of increased meter administration. At the direction of the Commission, the staff will draft a procedural memorandum that may be
considered at the Commission Meeting in November 2002. This procedural memorandum would allow Staff to require administration by a third party for all new rotational acres applications
in the Designated Basins under the current Rule 7.4.2.

There is no clear majority opinion from the GWMDs as to whether the Commission should implement a historic use limitation on rotational acres. The staff recommends that the Commission
invite local GWMDs to approach the Commission with a rule change specific for their GWMD regarding any proposed historic use limitations on rotational acres for their GWMD.

Memorandum
Upcoming Commission Meeting
Page 2

FRED A. HEFLEY, CHAIRMAN, Walsh; JON B. BROWNELL, VICE-CHAIRMAN, Hooper; EUGENE A. BAUERLE, Julesburg; ANNE J. CASTLE, Denver; DENNIS W. CORYELL, Burlington;
MICHAEL GROSS, Silt; RICHARD F. HUWA, Keenesburg; F. W. (BILL) KERKSIEK, Strasburg; ERNEST L. MIKITA, Calhan

EARNEST L. MIKITA, CHAIRMAN, Calhan; C. MAX SMITH, VICE-CHAIRMAN, Walsh; EUGENE A. BAUERLE, Julesburg; LARRY W. CLEVER, Grand Junction;
DENNIS W. CORYELL, Burlington; RALPH G. CURTIS, Alamosa; RICHARD F. HUWA, Keenesburg; FRANK P. JAEGER, Elizabeth; ROBERT R. LOOSE, Wiggins

Memorandum
Administration of Rotational Acres
Page 2

RotateAcresSurvey.doc

STATE OF COLORADO
GROUND WATER COMMISSION
Division of Water Resources
Department of Natural Resources

1313 Sherman Street, Room 818
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Bill Owens
Governor

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director, DNR

Hal D. Simpson, P.E.
Executive Director