HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 Nov 2015 packetAgenda items are subject to change – Times are approximate and are also subject to change
Time Item
4:00 PM • Board Comment
• Public Comment
• Additions – Deletions to Agenda
4:15 PM • East Mesa Water Company - Richard McIntyre
Grant work update
4:45 PM • GIS Map Update – Mary Lackner and Morgan Boyles
5:15 PM • Chelsea Congdon - Book Introduction
Water Users Guide for Protecting Flows in Snowmass Creek
5:30 PM • Water Park PR Update
6:00 PM • Draft Policy Discussions
6:30 PM • Open Discussion
7:00 PM • Adjourn
Future meeting dates 2016
Jan 21
Feb 18
March 17
April 21
Agricultural Water Use
Policy Statement
Draft: November 11, 1015
Agriculture is a central component of Pitkin County’s vibrant rural community. The Pitkin
County Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizen Advisory Board supports the maintenance of
current levels of agricultural productivity. Agricultural production assures local food supplies
while providing open view plane and wildlife corridors. Agriculture in Pitkin County is not
possible without irrigation.
Agricultural water rights can be used to support both the local economy and environment.
Water rights used for agriculture typically result in return flows to the river systems from which
they are diverted. When agricultural water rights are changed to municipal use, these return flow
paradigms are altered. These corresponding and delayed return flows from diversions by users
in the Roaring Fork River basin are not only essential to meeting Colorado River Compact
obligations they can enhance flows during times of shortage.
Purchases of agricultural water rights within the Roaring Fork River basin used as a legal
mechanism to obtain greater out-of-basin diversions present a threat to the health, safety and
welfare of Pitkin County residents. Transbasin diversions have no return flows and inherently
result in greater harm to in-channel protective flows than agricultural diversions by users in the
Roaring Fork basin.
The importance of preserving agricultural water rights within Pitkin County is clear, but steps
should be taken to encourage the effective use of such water. Accordingly, Pitkin County:
1. Supports maintaining healthy, productive, and vibrant agricultural lands.
2. Supports voluntary, cooperative agreements regarding the use of agricultural water rights
to benefit in-channel protective flows.
3. Supports voluntary improvements to irrigation infrastructure and efficiencies.
4. Supports the reduction of effluent pollution associated with agricultural practices.
5. Opposes attempts to utilize agricultural water rights within the Colorado River system to
meet municipal demands on the Eastern Slope.
Storage Water Use
Policy Statement
Draft: November 11, 1015
Impoundment of water is an active management strategy for a scarce resource which allows for
its use during times of shortage. However, storage substantially changes the natural hydrograph
of rivers and profoundly changes watersheds. Numerous ponds and reservoirs have been
constructed within Pitkin County, often not where hydrologically or environmentally sensible,
resulting in degradation to the environment where the structures are sited. Additionally, storage
water rights are associated with increased evaporation, as well as changes to water temperature,
wildlife habitat, and water quality.
Recognizing the harm associated with development of new storage facilities, as well as the
potential of storage to provide needed water supply resiliency during times of shortage, use of
existing storage structures should be prioritized before construction of new storage. Climate
change is occurring and will exacerbate the stochastic nature of water supply timing and
allocation. Given that the effects of climate change are unknown, there is a need for flexibility
and varied response to expected changing hydrologic conditions. Use of existing storage
facilities presents a resource to address such changes. Accordingly, Pitkin County:
1. Supports using storage water rights to benefit in-channel protective flows only if adverse
impacts are adequately mitigated.
2. Supports the expansion of existing storage facilities prior to the development of new
storage facilities.
3. Opposes the construction of new storage facilities within the Crystal River watershed.
4. Opposes the diversion of water for out of basin storage.
5. Opposes the use of water stored in basin for later out of basin use.