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Water news and events for southwestern Colorado
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WATER INFORMATION PROGRAM 
November 2021 Newsletter 
LOCAL NEWS

Southwest Basins Roundtable October Meeting Highlights

 

Laura Spann - Roundtable Recorder

Basin Implementation Plan Update
The Southwest Basin Implementation Plan (BIP) is now available at engagecwcb.org for public comment through November 15th, along with the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s (CWCB) comprehensive projects database, an outcome of the BIP update process. The BIP will come before the SW Basin Roundtable for adoption in December before its final release in January 2022. The Colorado Water Plan’s final release is anticipated in June 2022.
 
Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) Update
Colorado Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Gibbs has replaced Russ George as IBCC Director. The IBCC will hold a special meeting soon to further discuss whether the IBCC be charged with structuring the proportionality/equity aspects of any demand management program, if implemented.
 
Colorado Water Conservation Board Update
The CWCB board has adopted a decision-making framework for the demand management feasibility investigation, which is available on the CWCB website. Conversations about Colorado River negotiations are moving forward as well.
 
Public Education, Participation & Outreach (PEPO)
The CWCB is considering increasing annual basin PEPO funding from $6,500 to $25,000 per basin per year starting July 2022. The CWCB is undertaking a phased Colorado Water Plan messaging campaign with support from PEPO liaisons. The Water ’22 campaign will include an event based in southwest Colorado.
 
Colorado River Issues Subcommittee
Participants in the Homestake Reservoir Pilot release presented to the Colorado River Subcommittee on their effort evaluate the mechanics of shepherding water under a potential curtailment scenario or the proposed demand management program. Michelle Garrison, CWCB, detailed conditions, operations and forecasts for Lakes Mead and Powell.

DNR Updates
The Governor currently has in his budget for FY 2023, Four Regional Water Plan Grant Coordinators; Water Accounting Coordinators in the South Platte, Arkansas and Rio Grande basins to track ground water for compact compliance; and a Water Resource Manager to manage the State Land Board water rights.

 
Water Supply Reserve Fund
The WSRF Basin Fund balance is $603,903, of which $191,400 is federal relief that must be appropriated by March 2023. Due to declines in severance tax revenues, it’s unlikely that WSRF will be replenished in the coming three-five years and so the CWCB is exploring alternatives to create stability for the Basin Accounts, including setting a distribution list of $300,000 per basin per year for three years. The CWCB may even place a $750,000 carryover limit on WSRF Basin accounts. March 2022 will be the last CWCB meeting where grants from the statewide WSRF fund will be considered. Any funds remaining in the statewide account will then be distributed to the basin accounts and for the foreseeable future. Starting November 1st, the CWCB will offer an online WSRF application form and process.
 
Southwest Colorado Projects
The Roundtable supported WSRF grant applications for the following projects:
  • Animas Watershed Partnership: Animas River Stream Management Plan, Phase I
  • Center for Snow & Avalanche Studies: Ongoing Snowpack Monitoring and Research
  • Lone Cone Ditch & Reservoir Company: Dam Outlet Repair Engineering & Design
  • Town of Pagosa: Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership’s Yamaguchi South Project
  • Pagosa Area Water & Sanitation District: Snowball Water Treatment Plant Replacement
The Roundtable approved letters of support for Colorado Water Plan applications from 4CORE’s drafting of a greywater ordinance for La Plata County, the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership’s Yamaguchi South Project, and Colorado Airborne Snow Observatory’s statewide snowpack monitoring flights. As well, the Mancos River Restoration Project received a letter of support for a RESTORE Grant.
 
Upcoming Meetings & WSRF Deadlines
2022 Roundtable meetings are scheduled for January 20th, April 28th, July 28th and October 27th, with WSRF applications due on April 15th (for April meeting consideration) and October 14th (for October meeting consideration).

 

Animas Stream Management Planning

 

The Animas Watershed Partnership (AWP), in collaboration with the Animas River Community Forum (ARCF), Strategic by Nature (SBN), and Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is pursuing the development of a Stream Management Plan (SMP) for the Animas River. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has prioritized Stream Management Plans in their 2015 Water Plan with a goal of having 80% of Colorado’s watersheds with developed SMPs by 2030. SMPs are intended to develop data-driven water management and physical project recommendations for river systems in Colorado. There is a specific focus on environmental and recreational uses/conditions that incorporate economic values, community water needs, and agricultural uses.

Considering current (and future) drought conditions, resiliency in our river systems will help maintain the health of the Animas watershed, while providing water supplies for our community systems, and water for recreational uses, agriculture needs, and environmental resilience.


AWP has proposed a multi-phased process to allow the Animas River community stakeholders to be fully engaged in the development of the Scope (Phase 1) of the SMP process. Once the process is underway, AWP and partner organizations will begin a stakeholder process to better understand and compile the diverse interests and viewpoints of our community to drive the scope and scale of the SMP. Based on stakeholder input and knowledge, AWP will carry out an evaluation of existing environmental and recreational data relevant to the scope to determine where data gaps exist. Subsequent phases of the SMP process will be driven by stakeholder input and gap identification with the priority of improving the health of the Animas watershed.

AWP has been working on watershed issues since 2001. The AWP steering committee is comprised of community members representing Colorado and New Mexico, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes, government representatives from Farmington and Durango, and is a project of the San Juan Resource and Development Council (SJRCD). For more information on AWP, please visit www.animaswatershedpartnership.org and to learn about the Stream Management Planning process in greater detail, please visit www.coloradosmp.org.
 

Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District Proposed Snowball Treatment Plan Upgrade

 

The existing water supply facilities at the Snowball Water Treatment Plan (WTP) include a 2 million galloon per day (MGD) direct filtration plant, a 34 acre-foot raw water reservoir (settling pond), 250,000 gallon treated water storage tank and an eight mile raw water transmission line. The transmission line carries water by gravity from the intake on the West Fork of the San Juan River.  
 
The original Snowball WTP along with the raw water line were completed in 1970.  The current water treatment plant was completed in 1985 for the town of Pagosa Springs.  PAWSD took ownership of the system in 1992. 
 
In 2018 the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation (PAWSD) Board of Directors approved a new ten year Capital Investment Plan which included the replacement of the Snowball WTP. The existing plant is reaching the end of its operational life. Structural issues with the building are causing excessive maintenance costs and a poor working conditions. Additionally the plant no longer meets current regulatory requirements. Pagosa Springs, like most of Colorado, is seeing continued population growth, thus the capacity of the plant will increase to 3.5 MGD.
 
In 2020 PAWSD retained the engineering firm Schmuser Gordon Meyer, Inc (SGM) to complete a feasibility study to determine the best suited treatment technology for the new plant. In 2021 the SGM contract was amended and SGM began design of a 3.5 MGD microfiltration WTP with (dissolved air floatation (DAF) pretreatment. Plans will be completed in 2022 and construction is scheduled to begin in April of 2023.
 

Registration Now Open for Water Law in a Nutshell - Realtors Course Level 2 

     


Friday, December 17, 2021
9:00 am – 11: 00 am
Virtual Live On-Line Course


**Details and link access will be sent directly to you
after you register

Led by Mr. Aaron Clay, Attorney at Law and former 26-year Water Referee for the Colorado Water Court, Division 4

                 Continuing Education Credits Available:
                              Realtors: 2 hours CE

After three SOLD OUT successful Water Law in a Nutshell courses this year, we are excited to present a second Level 2 short course specifically targeted to Realtors. If you had the opportunity to attend the previous Water Law in a Nutshell courses, this offering will cover more detail regarding topics such as: how to evaluate a water right; title insurance for water rights; listing agreements, disclosure/ due diligence, how to analyze different types of water rights and their treatment of deeds; ditches and ditch easements; and more!!

Even if you are not a realtor, and you have attended a previous Water Law course and are interested in learning more on the topics mentioned, feel free to join us and register.

Registration is $35.00, which includes course materials.
**$60.00 total if you wish to receive Continuing Education Credits


Pre-registration is required! To register or for more information click here .

** Please share this if you know anyone who may be interested in this course.

Subdistricts Formed to Expedite Delivery of Water

                   


The La Plata Archuleta Water District (LAPLAWD) was formed in 2008 to provide essential, reliable and safe potable public water and fire protection water to areas in the southeast part of La Plata County. The District’s primary focus is to construct water lines in the public rights-of-way (ROW) so that they can provide access to water to as large an area as possible. Most subdivisions are accessed by private roads. The District doesn’t plan on constructing water lines in private roads until they have completed water lines in the public ROW

Two Subdistricts were formed in order to possibly expedite the construction of distribution lines into existing subdivisions. The first is the Fox Fire Subdistrict which is north of Hwy 160 and west of Gem Village. The second is the Skyview Subdistrict which consists of some of the properties in a subdivision north of CR 223 where it intersects Hwy 160 just to the west of Gem Village. A subdistrict is a subunit of the District and is formed for a specific geographic area in the District, the two subdivisions in this instance. The subdistrict has taxing authority similar to the District and is able to apply for low interest loans. The subdistrict is governed by the Board of Directors of the District and managed by the LAPLAWD.

The eligible electors in the Subdistricts voted on whether to authorize the Subdistrict to increase its debt and to raise their property taxes in order to pay off the debt. The property owners in the Fox Fire subdistrict want water sooner than the District can provide with its revenues and voted to increase their taxes to pay for the water lines. The District will begin working on obtaining a loan and possibly grants to pay for the water system into the Subdistrict. The loan will be paid by increased taxes to the property owners in the Subdistrict. It is expected that the term of the loan will be 20 years with a 2.25% interest rate.

The eligible electors in the Skyview Subdistrict decided that they weren’t ready to take on the amount of debt that would be required to construct a distribution system into their subdivisions at this time. They are going to try and get more property owners in that area interested in order to spread the costs out more and have a TABOR election at a later date.

These are the second and third areas in the LAPLAWD that have formed Subdistricts. The first one was the Sundance/Farraday Subdistrict which was formed in 2017 and the water system to serve this area was completed in 2019.

Trout Unlimited Update

 

By Buck Skillen - 5 Rivers Trout Unlimited

2021 was a challenging year for Five Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited as it was for many of the WIP family.  However, we managed to adapt and get a lot of good work done.

We had a successful fundraiser through the efforts of our local members and the staff at Colorado Trout Unlimited, our state council. Both the live and silent auctions were held virtually with the silent auction taking place over a 2-week period ending in with a lively live auction, which was encouraging to see the participation level despite the virtual nature of our world.
 
Particular emphasis was put on youth education this year, combining an introduction to fly fishing with the conservation message about the necessity of clean, cold water for both the bugs, fish and, of course, people. All told we engaged over 75 youngsters through one of the Montessori School (Smiley) classes, the Boys and Girls Club, various Cub Scout groups, an Escalante Middle School class and the Outdoor Education class at Durango High School. In addition, we partnered with The San Juan Angler to provide fly-fishing education at the kids fishing program hosted by the Vallecito Conservation & Sporting Association. These programs included introduction to the aquatic insects upon which trout feed, how and where trout live, a bit of history of fly fishing and, of course, casting.
 
Conservation work continues with the emphasis on the protection and restoration of the newly discovered San Juan Cutthroat, and our conservation sub-committee continues sampling work in preparation for submission for Outstanding Waters designation happening in mid-2022.
 
In addition, TU continues to be part of the leadership of the CAG (Community Advisory Group) on the Bonita Peak Superfund operation.
 
Finally, we are thinking positive thoughts for a decent snow year and have much empathy for our neighbors in the agriculture community, who continue to suffer through the on-going drought.
 

Mancos Conservation District Recruiting an AmeriCorps VISTA Member

 
 
The Mancos Conservation District is excited to announce that they are recruiting an AmeriCorps VISTA member to support efforts developing outreach and education materials about the water quality conditions in the Mancos Watershed, as well as a new Urban Water Conservation Plan. The position involves collecting and analyzing water quality data, designing and implementing community engagement activities, working to secure future funding for the Mancos Watershed Water Quality and Restoration Project and more! 

For more information or to apply, follow this link: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=107749

Reminder: Southwestern Water Conservation District to Accept 2022 Grant Applications Nov 1-Dec 13, 2021

Applications for 2022 funding can be submitted starting November 1, 2021, but no later than December 13, 2021. If possible, please try to submit applications towards the beginning of this time frame to allow for staff to work with you on any outstanding questions.

The 2022 grant program guidelines and application form have been clarified in response to board and public feedback. Both documents are now available on the SWCD website: https://swwcd.org/more/financial-assistance-program/.  The amounts available by category for the 2022 grant program are subject to board appropriation and still not final.

If you have any questions as you begin developing an application, please contact Laura at the SWCD office: lauras@swwcd.org.

Upcoming Water Supply Reserve Fund  Grant Deadlines for SW Basin Roundtable Consideration

The WSRF Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: ­

  • Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; ­
  • Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; and ­
  • Structural and nonstructural water projects or activities.

Requests for funds from the Account must be approved by at least one of Colorado’s nine basin roundtables. The request is then forwarded to the CWCB to evaluate and make final funding decisions.

Southwest Basin Roundtable deadlines for WSRF applications are: 
Friday, April 15, 2022 (for April meeting consideration)
Friday, October 14, 2022 (for October meeting consideration)

Colorado Department of Agriculture Grant and Outreach Opportunities

There are many opportunities for engagement right now, we don't want anyone to miss out! Check out  "CDA At a Glance" to find out what's going on this month.    
 

            


To all of our WIP friends and associates, may this holiday season bring you love to your heart, health to your body, and peace and joy to your home throughout the new year!
 
The next WIP newsletter will be out in January. Thank you all for your continued support and reading our newsletter. 

The WIP lending library has more than 200 water-related books and videos available for checkout. Stop by the office to find a book or DVD of interest to you to check out for free!

Check out the Water Information Program website for lots of resources about water and our partners who support the WIP!

 
 
Upcoming Events


November 15, 2021
Sharing Visions for a Sustainable Water Future
Wildfire Impacts and The Animas River

Center of Southwest Studies 120, Ft. Lewis College
4:00 pm - No registration necessary. Masks required.


November 16, 2021
West Slope Water Summit
Montrose County Event Center
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
In Person and Livestreamed
Montrose, CO


November 17 - 18, 2021
Colorado Water Conservation District Board Meeting
Starts at 8:30 both days - Virtual

November 17, 2021
Durango Water Professionals Happy Hour
Hosted by Four Corners Water Center  at Ft. Lewis College & Colorado Water Congress Pond Committee
at James Ranch Grill
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Durango, CO


November 29, 2021
Colorado Basin Roundtable Meeting
Glenwood Springs Community Center
12:00 pm - 4:00-pm
Glenwood Springs, 
CO

December 8 - 9, 2021
Southwestern Water Conservation District Board Meeting
Via Zoom

December 9 - 10, 2021
Colorado Ag Water Summit
Headwaters Center
Winter Park, CO


December 14 - 16, 2021
Colorado River Water Users Association Conference
Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, NV.

December 14, 2021
Upper Colorado River Commission Meeting
Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, NV

December 17, 2021
Water Law in a Nutshell - Level 2 for Realtors
Virtual Zoom - 9:00 am- 11:00 am
Continuing Education Credits for Realtors Available


January 20, 2021
Southwest Basin Roundtable Meeting  
In-person and Virtual
Cortez, CO 


Jan 26-28, 2022
Colorado Water Congress Annual Convention
Hyatt Regency Aurora Denver Conference Center
Denver, CO.


February 23-25, 2022
RiversEdge West 20th Annual Riparian Restoration Conference
"Learning from the last 20 years, planning for the next" 
Grand Junction Convention Center

Grand Junction, CO



Any events you would like to add? Send them to elaine@waterinfo.org.
Other Water News

Investment water speculation bill clears committee - Aspen Journal

With less water on the Western Slope and in the Colorado river, the state wants new rules on how to measure and track what's there - CPR News

New era? Western cities using wetland parks, stormwater capture and mobil wastewater collection - Freshwater News

Colorado lawmakers propose millions in funding to slash groundwater use; curb water profiteering - Freshwater News

Tribes seek water-management role as Colorado River shrivels - E & E News

Southwest states facing tough choices about water as Colorado River diminishes - 60 Minutes

As cities like Denver and Colorado Springs grow, wastewater recycling gets another look - The Colorado Sun

LPEA closer to meeting carbon footprint goals
More Information

Snow, flow & reservoir data

CWCB's Newsletter

Fresh Water News

Headwaters PULSE newsletter

Connecting the Drops Radio

Grants

Bureau of Reclamation: Drought Contingency Planning Grants

Funding Opportunities for November

Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Funding Opportunities

WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program

DOLA Resources: Water/Wastewater Treatment 

USDA Funding Opportunity - Rural Water Projects

Water Plan Grant Program

Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant (WSRF)

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Bureau of Reclamation Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects

Colorado Watershed Assembly Grants Bank 

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Riparian Restoration funding opportunities

Jobs

Mancos Conservation District
Recruiting an AmeriCorps VISTA Member


Colorado Water Center Director
Applications are being accepted for the position of Director of the Fort Collins-based Colorado Water Center until Nov 18.

CO Water Trust Water Transactions Coordinator
The Colorado Water Trust has an opening for a Water Transactions Coordinator, with applications accepted until Dec 1.


Colorado Springs Utilities
Colorado Springs Utilities has a variety of job openings

SGM Engineering
SGM has several openings for engineers on the Western Slope


State of  Colorado Job Opportunities

Co Rural Water Association

Colorado Waterwise Job Bank

Josh's Water Jobs


Rich listing of water jobs all over the world can be searched here.
The Water Information Program (WIP) provides balanced educational programming and resources to the people of the San Juan and Dolores watersheds. Thank you to our 26 partner organizations in southwestern Colorado--water districts, utilities, private stakeholders and environmental advocates--who make WIP possible!

Water Information Program
841 E Second Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
www.waterinfo.org

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