Date: 09/14/2015
Final
North Platte Basin Roundtable Basin Implementation Plan
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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12:19 PM -- North Platte Basin Roundtable Basin Implementation Plan
Kent Crowder, chair of the North Platte Basin Roundtable, introduced himself to the committee. Mr. Crowder explained the North Platte Basin Implementation Plan and discussed the projects that the North Platte Basin Roundtable has identified. He additionally discussed the goals of the North Platte Basin, which include increasing economic development and diversification through strategic water use and development. Mr. Crowder discussed the anticipated effects of some of the proposed projects in the North Platte. Mr. Crowder discussed the MacFarlane Reservoir Dam Rehabilitation Project and described the five main goals of that project. Mr. Crowder discussed the funding of the MacFarlane Dam Rehabilitation Project and the various private partnerships that have been developed in order to execute the project. Mr. Crowder provided a brief background of the dam and stated that the proposed project will address the seepage that is currently coming from the dam and will provide reliable access to water. Mr. Crowder discussed the various agricultural users that will benefit from the rehabilitation of the dam, as well as the environmental benefits of rehabilitating the dam.
12:30 PM
Mr. Crowder discussed the Evapotranspiration Project, which will reestablish lysimeter measurements in the high altitude, hay meadow environment of North Park. Mr. Crowder answered questions from the committee regarding the staffing for the evapotranspiration project. Mr. Crowder noted that the staffing issues have been resolved and the project will be fully staffed. Mr. Crowder discussed the existing weather stations that will be an integral part of the project.
12:34 PM
Mr. Crowder discussed a basin-wide augmentation plan, which will help maintain and maximize the consumptive water use in the basin. He provided and overview of the augmentation plan. The tasks of the plan include identifying augmentation needs, identifying and quantifying augmentation supplies, and identifying and addressing water consumption. Mr. Crowder then discussed the Canal Maintenance Project and discussed the New Pioneer Ditch Diversion, the Walden Reservoir Check Structure, the Squibob Headgate Structure, the Staples Headgate Structure, the Bostwick Headgate Structure, the Richmond Diversion Structure, the Seneca Ditch Headgate Structure, and the Mallon Extension Ditch Structure. Mr. Crowder stated that the basin wants to demonstrate that agricultural users are important to the consumptive use needs.
12:46 PM
Mr. Crowder answered questions from the committee regarding the depletion allowance plan in the North Platte Basin. Mr. Crowder explained that the depletion allowance, though seemingly extra water, is not actually an abundance of water in the basin.