News
Republican River Compact Administration Special Meeting March
2008
The Republican River Compact Administration Meeting was held March
11th and 12th in Kansas City Missouri Colorado
was represented by Peter Ampe out of the Attorney Generals office,
State Engineer Dick Wolfe, Depute State Engineer Ken Knox and Megan
Sullivan also from DOWR.
Alexandra Davis from Division of Wildlife was in attendance.
There were many members of the Republican River Water
Conservation District (RRWCD) present including Dennis Coryell, Kim
Killin, Rick Seedorf, Bruce Latosik, Garry Kramer, Greg Terrell,
Manager Stan Murphy, Hydrologist Jim Slattery and Attorney
Dennis Montgomery.
Greg Larson a hopeful RRWCD board member candidate from Logan county
was also present. Bethleen McCall represented the Colorado
Agriculture Preservation Association (CAPA).
Yuma County Commissioner Robin Whiley and President of
Colorado Corn Growers Association Byron Weathers were in attendance
on the second day.
The first day consisted of discussion about
Nebraska
and Kansas
disputes about the model runs.
Nebraska argued that they had made several model runs with
significant differences in the outcome compared to Kansas results.
There was also discussion about whether the non federal
reservoirs below Harlan County Reservoir are excluded from the
accounting process in the model.
Kansas asked if
Nebraska
had come to the conclusion that they were not accountable for past
noncompliance. Anne
Bleed replied that Nebraska has not come to
that conclusion and that was simply a misunderstanding.
She did say that
Nebraska
would like a better understanding of how much Kansas was thinking for damages she asked if
it was hundreds or billions.
Kansas replied that there must be some type of
compensation to discourage future non compliance and hinted that it
would either be Kansas
loss or the other states benefit whichever was greater.
Dick Wolfe interjected that Colorado would like to see the compensation
go to deal with a solution toward compliance such as a compact
compliance pipeline. Nebraska also mentioned several times that
they are focused on a 20% reduction in pumping basin wide to
get into compliance.
Kansas was not thrilled with Nebraska’s plan for purchase of surface
water and said it was not a long term solution due to the fact that
they can not be sure that the surface water will be there in the
future. Ken Knox asked Nebraska for some numbers
regarding phreatophyte removal.
Nebraska also mentioned
that they are considering installing a compact compliance pipeline
to augment their deficit.
They have requested that representatives from the RRWCD
provide guidance. There
is a tentative meeting scheduled for late March.
Day two Ken Knox presented
Colorado’s proposal on the compact
compliance pipeline.
Ken proved to be a true advocate for the people of Colorado and especially the irrigated
farmers. He spoke about
local efforts being the driving force behind the compact compliance
pipeline. Knox also
said that “Colorado recognizes its ability and
responsibility to comply with the Republican River Compact
Settlement”. He stated that the water users in the basin are baring
the full financial burden and also spoke about the careful
consideration taken on the placement of the wells and pipeline.
Stating that the sand hills have the highest recharge rate in
the basin and that Colorado wanted to ensure that the pipeline will
operate as long as possible.
He explained that the capacity to the pipeline will begin at
15,000 ac/ft and could reach a maximum of 25,000 ac/ft
He said there is a contract on 58 wells that have 66 well
permits and they will change the use from irrigation to compact
compliance, they will also do a variance request to change the
location of the wells and combine them into 15 wells.
Eight of those being the primary wells and seven will be
secondary or “back up wells”.
Colorado also pans to construct a storage
facility that in the event of a power outage will be capable of
operating at 2/3 capacity for approximately 2 hours.
Up next was President of
the RRWCD, Dennis Coryell, first he introduced members in the
audience from Colorado.
He pointed out that Colorado
is in a unique situation compared to Nebraska
due to the fact that
Colorado
could curtail all stream flow and shut off nearly every well in the
basin and still not be in compact compliance.
So he said that
Colorado
had to look at artificial means to augment the river and keep
irrigated production in the Republican River Basin of Colorado.
He stated that the RRWCD had been aggressive in the purchase
of water rights on the South Fork of the Republican and mentioned
measurement rules that will eventually help develop long term
conservation methods.
He explained the process RRWCD has undergone including the
feasibility study, financial planning and mentioned that at the
Colorado State Capitol the very same day that they are perusing a
low rate loan through the water projects bill.
He also mentioned that our CREP program is permeate unlike Nebraska’s.
President Coryell said that he wanted to speak from his heart for a
moment and stressed that water users in the basin are the ones
shouldering the financial burden.
He also stated that there are approximately 2,500 family
farms operating in the basin.
He said, “It’s not just about water districts and states but
we are hear today for the individual farmers, their families and the
communities that depend on them.
We are committed to the installation and operation of this
pipeline if you commission will allow us to do so.”
Kansas
responded saying they will be diligent on responding to
Colorado
and the settlement does allow for the installation of a compact
compliance pipeline. Nebraska said they are optimistic to work
things out. Both states
said that they were in favor of the concept of the pipeline and
there are details that need to be worked out but they will issue
final approval hopefully in June of this year.
There are two upcoming meetings scheduled both in Kansas City
one on April 11th and another on May 15th.
