i_wrrc_2017a_2017-08-02t09:01:43z9 Hearing Summary
Date: 08/02/2017
Location: SCR 357
Public Testimony
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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04:22 PM -- Public Testimony
Daniel Niemela, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, commented on HB 16-1289 concerning the Division of Water Resources rules to steam line historical consumptive use methodology and the use of the lease fallow tool (Attachment O). He also discussed methods for calculating historical consumptive use and expressed concern about applying statewide the lease fallow tool that was developed for the Arkansas River Basin.
Attachment O.pdf
04:30 PM
Marilen Reimer, American Council of Engineering of Colorado, expressed concern about applying statewide the lease fallow tool that was developed for the Arkansas River Basin. She also requested that the Water Resources Review Committee hold additional hearings on this issue before making any legislative recommendations regarding this issue.
04:31 PM
Joan Green, Water Rights Association of the South Platte, expressed concern about the introduced version of HB 16-1289 and discussed the potential legal cost for irrigators to defend their water rights if the Division of Water Resources develops a lease fallow tool for the South Platte River Basin.
04:32 PM
Robert Longenbaugh, representing himself, expressed concern about the development of lease fallowing tool that applies statewide and discussed potential legal cost for irrigators to defend their water rights if the Division of Water Resources develops the lease fallow tool. He also expressed concern about the sufficiency of staffing levels for the Division of Water Resources and discussed the need for additional water storage and phreatophyte control to address Colorado's growing demand for water. He expressed concern about the impact of artificial recharge on homes and agriculture fields and proposed legislation to require persons operating artificial recharge projects to protect persons from the impact of such projects. He also expressed concern about water quality impacts related to water exchange projects operated by municipalities that use recycled water. He also expressed concern about the potential impact on vested water rights of storing tributary water in designated groundwater basins.
04:54 PM
The committee adjourned.