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May 6, 2008
<br />To: Colorado Ground Water Commission
<br />From: Commission Staff
<br />RE: May 16, 2008 GWC meeting, Agenda Item 5
<br />Hearing on request of the Republican River Water Conservation District for a variance to Rule 7.3, involving applications for Republican River Compact Compliance Wells, to allow the
<br /> relocation of 44 permits over 300 feet to 8 existing well locations.
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<br />The following are Staff’s comments and opinions on the requested variance.
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<br />The RRWCD has submitted applications to convert 55 existing irrigation rights into Republican River Compact Compliance Wells in accordance with the new Rules recently approved by the
<br /> Commission. The subject rights will supply the compact compliance pipeline that will assist Colorado in meeting its Republican River Compact obligations.
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<br />Along with the change in use, the RRWCD is requesting to change the permitted location of 44 of the rights to 8 existing wells, and make all resulting wells alternate points of diversion
<br /> to each other and to 7 other wells. The variance is needed because the changed locations are in excess of the 300 feet from the current permitted locations, which violates the allowed
<br /> distance for changes of well location in the Northern High Plains under Rule 7.3.4. While the applicant’s variance request includes a request to allow the wells to operate as alternate
<br /> points of diversion, there are no Commission rules addressing alternate points of diversion and so no variance is needed from the Commission for that aspect of the applicant’s applications
<br /> (although a variance will need to be obtained from the Sand Hills GWMD).
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<br />These changes in well location would allow diversions from a smaller number of wells, allowing for fewer lineal feet of collection pipeline and reduced pipeline costs. Approval of the
<br /> variance would provide for more efficient construction and operation of the compact compliance pipeline.
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<br />There are no other wells within ½ mile of any of the changed locations. The variance request was published along with the applications to change the use of the wells on March 26 and
<br /> April 2, 2008, and no objections were received by May 2, 2008, the end of the objection period.
<br />
<br />The RRWCD has approved a resolution, dated April 18, 2008, agreeing to limit pumping from any of these Republican River Compact Compliance Wells to a maximum of 2,500 acre-feet per well,
<br /> which may be included as a limitation in approvals by the Commission and the Sandhills GWMD.
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<br />Staff recommends approval of the variance.
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<br />StaffMemo-RRWCDVariance.doc
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<br />Memorandum
<br />Upcoming Commission Meeting
<br />Page 2
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<br />FRED A. HEFLEY, CHAIRMAN, Walsh; JON B. BROWNELL, VICE-CHAIRMAN, Hooper; EUGENE A. BAUERLE, Julesburg; ANNE J. CASTLE, Denver; DENNIS W. CORYELL, Burlington;
<br />MICHAEL GROSS, Silt; RICHARD F. HUWA, Keenesburg; F. W. (BILL) KERKSIEK, Strasburg; ERNEST L. MIKITA, Calhan
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<br />C. MAX SMITH, CHAIRMAN, Walsh; DENNIS W. CORYELL, VICE-CHAIRMAN, Burlington; GRANT H. BLEDSOE, Wray; LARRY W. CLEVER, Grand Junction;
<br />EARNEST L. MIKITA, Calhan; DOUGLAS L. SHRIVER, Monte Vista; COREY M. HUWA, Roggen; FRANK P. JAEGER, Elizabeth; ROBERT R. LOOSE, Wiggins
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<br />RRWCD Variance Request Hearing Page
<br />May 6, 2008
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<br />StaffMemo-RRWCDVariance.pdf
<br />StaffMemo-USDA-Variance.doc
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<br /> STATE OF COLORADO
<br />GROUND WATER COMMISSION
<br />Division of Water Resources
<br />Department of Natural Resources
<br />
<br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 818
<br />Denver, Colorado 80203
<br />Phone (303) 866-3581
<br />FAX (303) 866-3589
<br /> Bill Ritter, Jr.
<br /> Governor
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<br /> Harris D. Sherman
<br /> Executive Director, DNR
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<br /> Dick Wolfe, P.E.
<br /> Executive Director
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