Date: 09/30/2009
Final
NISP
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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10:38 AM -- Norther Integrated Supply Project (NISP)
Gary Wockner, Save the Poudre Coalition, gave a power point presentation to the committee that outlined his concerns with the Northern Integrated Supply Project (Attachment D) and discussed an alternative plan (Attachment E). He argued that NISP will dry up and destroy farms and will drain and destroy the Poudre River. The alternative plan calls for water conservation, rotational fallowing programs on farms, and the use of growth-displaced water. He answered questions from the committee concerning population growth projections, farming organizations that support NISP, and acres of agricultural land that the alternative plan would dry up.
11:00 AM -- Eric Wilkinson, General manager of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, explained that NISP is a regional water supply project coordinated by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District on behalf of 15 Front Range water providers. Attachment F includes maps of the project location as well as additional background information. The goal of the project is to provide participating water providers with approximately 40,000 acre-feet of water. The project will include the construction of Glade Reservoir, which would be located northwest of Fort Collins and north of Horsetooth Reservoir. The water to fill Glade Reservoir will be diverted from the Poudre River. Mr. Wilkinson explained that in addition to meeting municipal demands, the project will provide an alternative water supply for agriculture. He highlighted some of the differences between NISP and in the alternative plan discussed by Mr. Wockner. He explained that they looked at over 200 alternatives and concluded that NISP is the least environmentally damaging and most practicable project. He answered questions from the committee concerning how the project will impact Colorado's water delivery obligations to Nebraska, the likely source of water supply if the project is not completed, and the chance of increased water diversions from the Western Slope.
