Bill Summary for Bill Number Gunnison River Basin Roundtable Basin Implementation Plan

Date: 07/21/2015

Final
Gunnison River Basin Roundtable Basin Implementation Plan

WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
<none>	<none>

6:20 PM -- Gunnison River Basin Roundtable Basin Implementation Plan

Frank Kugel, General Manager of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, addressed the BIP. He noted that all nine BIPS have been incorporated into the CWP. He explained that the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) gave each roundtable a conceptual framework for developing its implementation plan and each basin roundtable identified consumptive needs. He explained that the roundtable’s primary goal is to maintain quality and quantity of water in the Gunnison Basin. He stated that another goal is to maintain agriculture which is of key importance to this basin. He suggested the need to limit future changes to agriculture, such as transfers from agriculture to municipal uses. He explained that the roundtable is trying to work with irrigators on projects that will improve the water supply.

Mr. Kugel said that the BIP includes a goal for addressing municipal water supplies and that climate change is a real risk and could mean a 10 to 15 percent reduction in water. He noted that many municipal supplies are in jeopardy after the 2002 drought and that municipalities need a secure and clean supply of water. He noted that the state population will double by 2050. A goal in the BIP is to improve the quality of water in the basin. The roundtable is concerned with mining contamination. Another goal of the BIP is to improve environmental and recreational uses. He noted that Trout Unlimited worked with irrigators to leave water in the stream and the project is working well in improving hay yield and water conservation. He said the roundtable will be collecting more comments at their next meeting.