Date: 07/20/2015
Final
Potential Impacts from Instream Flow Water Rights
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
03:03 PM -- Potential Impacts from Instream Flow Water Rights on Future Water Development and Compact Entitlements
John Porter, President of the Southwestern Water Conservation District, discussed the potential need for additional storage in southwestern Colorado to satisfy future municipal water needs and to protect instream flows. He also discussed potential legislation to amend the instream flow water law to protect future municipal water needs.
03:10 PM
Barry Spear, General Counsel, Southwestern Water Conservation District, summarized the provisions of the state law that authorizes the appropriation of instream flow water rights by the CWCB and expressed concern about the potential impact of instream flow water rights on the ability of municipal to develop water supply projects on streams affected by instream flow water rights. He also distributed a handout concerning possible legislation for future water use allocations to address impact of instream flows (Attachment B) and Resolution No. 2013-05 of the Southwestern Water Conservation District concerning the CWCB's instream flow program (Attachment C).
Attachment B.pdf 
Attachment C.pdf
03:17 PM
Bruce Whitehead, Executive Director, Southwestern Water Conservation District, discussed the role of the district to ensure an adequate water supply in the Southwestern Water Conservation District and discussed the potential impacts of instream flow water rights on future water development projects. He also discussed possible legislation to amend the instream flow water law to protect future municipal water needs.
03:21 PM
Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, discussed the role of the district in addressing water supply needs and expressed concern about the potential impact of instream flow water rights on future municipal water supply projects. He also identified instream flow water rights that include provisions to protect future water development needs and discussed possible legislation to amend the instream flow water law to protect future municipal water needs.
03:28 PM
Mr. Whitehead responded to questions from the committee about when legislation may be introduced to amend the instream flow water law to protect future municipal water needs.