Date: 07/21/2009
Final
Potential Legislation and Other Issues
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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11:24 AM -- Potential Legislation and Other Issues
Jennifer Gimbel, Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), explained that the Water Efficiency Grant Program is a statutory program that will repeal July 1, 2012, unless the legislature passes a law to extend the program (Section 37-60-126 (12) (c), C.R.S.). She requested that the Water Resources Review Committee recommend legislation to continue the program indefinitely. In response to a question from the committee, she described federal legislation to fund the Arkansas Valley Conduit and estimated that the state would need to provide its match for the federal moneys in 2 to 3 years. Part of the Perpetual Base Account money that transferred to the General Fund were previously appropriated to match the federal moneys for the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
11:29 AM
John Whitney, Southwest Regional Director for Congressman John Salazar, described federal legislation to fund the Arkansas Valley Conduit. Harold Miskel, Vice President of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, commented on the federal legislation and estimated when the state matching moneys will be needed to fund the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
11:33 AM
At the request of the a committee member, the CWCB described efforts to maximize the use of Colorado's groundwater. Dick Wolfe, State Engineer, described efforts to maximize the use of groundwater in the South Platte River Basin while protecting senior surface water rights from injury. He explained how the South Platte Decision Support System helps his office better manage surface and groundwater resources in the basin. He also described recent litigation over use of South Platte groundwater.
11:41 AM
Eric Wilkinson explained how the recent drought and Colorado Supreme Court decisions have affected the ability of the State Engineer to maximize the use of groundwater in the South Platte Basin. He also explained how loans from the CWCB have helped ground water users develop water supplies that offset the impact of well pumping on surface water users. Without these projects, additional well users would have been required to permanently cease pumping.. He also described the potential benefits of the South Platte Decision Support System once its completed which will enable the Division of Water Resources to better manage water in the South Platte Basin and it will provide greater transparency in water management decisions. He also described the need for additional water storage to offset out-of-priority diversions and protect senior water rights. Without measures to protect irrigation in the South Platte River Basin, he explained, that irrigation may be curtailed which will reduce return flows to the river and harm the environment. Ms. Gimbel explained that the she does not anticipate asking the legislature authorize the CWCB to spend additional money on the South Platte Decision Support System.
11:50 AM
The meeting adjourned. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 19 in Steamboat, Colorado.