DWR_3348306

• Board or Commission: Colorado Ground Water Commission
• Document Type - Board and Commission Meetings: Meeting Document
• Document Date: 5/17/2002
• Subject: MEETING MATERIALS

May 17, 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

Currently there are approximately 36 wells approved for rotational irrigation and 6 applications for rotational acres pending. Those approved are broken down as follows:

35 of these are in the NHP
1 is located in the SHP

Of those 35 wells approved in the NHPs they are located in the following GWMDs:

Outside GWMD: 2
Plains: 16 (50% of all rotational acres)
Arikaree: 6
Frenchman: 2
Central Yuma: 4
W-Y: 1
East Cheyenne 4

Of those 6 wells with pending applications in the NHPs they are located in the following GWMDs:

Plains: 2
Frenchman: 1
W-Y: 2
East Cheyenne 1

GWMD Recommendations:

The Plains GWMD has requested (see attached) that the Commission consider the following additional administration:

Limit wells to historical use as required for an Increase of Irrigated Acres (Rule 7.5).
Require meter administration through a third party as required for an Increase of Irrigated Acres (Rule 7.5.4).

The East Cheyenne GWMD has requested (see attached) that the Commission consider only the following additional administration:

Require meter administration through a third party as required for an Increase of Irrigated Acres (Rule 7.5.4).

No other requests have been received by other GWMDs.

Potential Commission Action

For the Commission to implement a historic use limitation a rule change would be necessary.

The increased administration by a third party could be implemented under the current Rule 7.4.2, if the Commission where to direct staff via a procedure memorandum.

Staff Recommendations:

Take a poll of each of the GWMD requesting their written opinion by June 30, 2002 on the administration of rotational acres.

Based on these results, if the majority of the GWMDs are in favor of limiting wells to historic use, plan a rulemaking hearing for November 2002.

If the majority of the GWMDs are in favor of only increased meter administration; staff will draft a procedure memorandum that may be considered at the Commission Meeting in August 2002.

If the majority of the GWMDs do not favor any changes, do nothing. Individual GWMDs are still free to implement the desired changes through local GWMD rule making pursuant to 37-90-130
CRS.

S:\DesBasPrograms\GWC Meetings\May2002\RotAcresMemoMay2002.doc

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

ERNEST L. MIKITA, CHAIRMAN, Calhan; ANNE J. CASTLE, VICE-CHAIRMAN, Denver; JON B. BROWNELL, Hooper; EUGENE A. BAUERLE, Julesburg; DENNIS W. CORYELL, Burlington;
ROBERT R. LOOSE, Wiggins; LARRY CLEAVER, Grand Junction; RICHARD F. HUWA, Keenesburg; CHARLES “MAX” SMITH, Walsh

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