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DRAFT 2021 BIP Principles, Goals, and StrategiesDrafted February 19, 2021The purpose of the 2021 Principles, Goals and Strategies is for inclusion in the Southwest Basin?Roundtable?2021 BIP Update. The draft goals, strategies, and objectives (GSO) are proposed to meet potential future?gaps with a planning horizon of 2050. The draft goals were reviewed and updated by the BIP Update Subcommittee in January and February of 2021. The update reflects activities completed since the 2015 BIP, new challenges faced by water users in Southwest Colorado, and new areas of interest for the Roundtable. The draft 2021 Goals are described below in a linear fashion. The GSO approach is used for each goal category. For each category, a broad primary outcome is stated as a goal. Next, strategies describe the approach taken to achieve the goal. Finally, measurable objectives to achieve the goals are listed. For this review of the draft 2021 BIP Goals and Strategies, only the goal categories and strategies are described below as measurable objectives will be discussed in upcoming meetings.During the 2021 review of the goals, the Subcommittee recommended removing goals similar to the underlying principles as well as adding new principles. The 2015 BIP acknowledged that geographic, political, economic and legal complexities lead to unique challenges and opportunities for the Southwest Basin. Appreciation of this context was the basis to the development of the Roundtable’s goals and its 2015 BIP. Therefore, the Roundtable prefaced its 2015 BIP Goals with the following underlying principles. Many of these were also stated in the Southwestern Water Conservation District’s Statement of Importance January 2014 (Appendix D of 2015 BIP), which was adopted by the Roundtable on January 8, 2014. These principles are included below for review. Draft 2021 BIP – PrinciplesBelow is a table describing the 2015 BIP principles, 2021 BIP additional principles, and subcommittee comments regarding the principles. The subcommittee is working on separating policy supporting statements from BIP goals and strategies for strategic planning. This is our first attempt at drafting new 2021 BIP principles, with further drafts to be forth coming. The below are the table column descriptions:(1) BIP Principles Column – 2015 BIP Principles for reference. Each principle begins with “The Roundtable…”(2) Comments and Suggested Edits Column – Track changes to 2015 BIP principles, new principles proposed, and comments about specific principles. ID2015 BIP PrinciplesComments and Edits ChangesP-1Intends to develop, use, and maintain the Basin Implementation Plan as a living document.P-2Agrees that all water uses are important to the future of this region.Agrees that all water uses are important to the future of this region and that cooperation among water interests is essential to accomplish the Roundtable’s goals.P-3(NEW)Recognizes that members bring different interests and perspectives to the Roundtable and expects that exchange of ideas be done in a respectful manner. P-4Identifies specific and unique projects that are important to maintaining the quality of life in this region and should accommodate the development and maintenance of flows, including domestic supplies, environmental needs, agriculture, recreation, and commercial/industrial needs to provide for further economic development.Identifies specific and unique projects that are important to maintaining the quality of life in this region and should accommodate the development and maintenance of flows, including domestic supplies, environmental needs, agriculture, recreation, and commercial/industrial needs to provide for further economic ments: 1. What does “should accommodate the development and maintenance of flows” mean?2. We’re not expanding on purposes of other needs, why should we on commercial/industrial?P-5Supports multi-purpose projects when possible and when they can be accomplished in a manner that is protective of the values present.SupportsEncourages multi-purpose projects when possible and when they can be accomplished in a manner that is protective of the values present.P-6(NEW)Defend southwest Colorado water rights holder’s compact use and entitlements. Comments: 1. Recommend removal because: (1) Roundtable is not in a position to take responsibility to “defend” water rights holders; (2) Several principles above already state the Roundtable’s commitment to support Southwest compact entitlements. 2015 BIP PrinciplesComments and Edits ChangesP-7Recognizes and upholds the unique settlement of tribal reserved water rights claims in the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement of December 10, 1986, as authorized by Congress in the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 100-585, and as amended by the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-554 and Pub. L. No, 110-161 (2007); and the 1991 Consent Decrees.Recognizes and upholds the unique settlement of tribal reserved water rights claims in thethrough Colorado water rights settlements and consent decrees. Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement of December 10, 1986, as authorized by Congress in the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 100-585, and as amended by the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-554 and Pub. L. No, 110-161 (2007); and the 1991 Consent Decrees.Note: this was original included as Goal G4 in the 2015 BIP but moved to principles section during drafting of 2021 GoalsP-8Recognizes and addresses the downstream challenges faced by water users in southwest Colorado due to continued development and pressures from users in the State of New Mexico; protect interests in southwest Colorado, while complying with existing Compact obligations. The entitlement to Colorado River flows for New Mexico will be based on deliveries from southwest Colorado.Recognizes and addresses the downstream challenges faced by water users in southwest Colorado due to continued development and pressures from users in the states of New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and the Lower Basin; protect interests in southwest Colorado, while complying with existing Compact obligations. The entitlement to portions of Colorado River flows for New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona will be based on deliveries from southwest Colorado. Comments: 1. Need to confirm if other states are entitled to deliveries from southwest Colorado (i.e. is this a fact?). 2. Should this be a principle? Note: this was original included as Goal G2 in the 2015 BIP but moved to a principle during drafting of 2021 GoalsP-9Intends to preserve the Southwest Basin’s ability to develop Colorado River Compact entitlements and to meet our water supply gaps.Supports the preservation of Intends to preserve the Southwest Basin’s ability to develop Colorado River Compact entitlements and to meet our water supply ments: 1. Clarify defense of our compact entitlement and use. Such as advancing Section 603(a) of The Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968P-10(NEW)Supports the preservation of the Southwest Basin’s environmental and recreational water supply needs.P-11Recognizes and addresses the challenges to all water uses that future drought and/or climate variability may bring.Recognizes and addresses the challenges to all water uses that future drought and/or climate variability may bring.ID2015 BIP PrinciplesComments and Edits ChangesP-12Recognizes that the flows necessary to support the full complement of values are not currently well understood.Recognizes that the flows necessary to support the full complement of environmental and recreation values are not currently well understood but progress since 2015 in technical analysis and local stakeholder processes have improved our knowledge of these values. Comments: 1. Need to define “values” in BIP document to clarify this principle or change “values” to “environmental and recreation water needs.”P-13(NEW)Supports local stakeholder processes aimed at improving knowledge of environmental and recreation water supply needs.P-14Limit conflicts and promote collaboration within the framework of state, tribal and federal plans, policies, authorities, and rights.P-15(NEW)Recognizes and upholds the Doctrine of Prior Appropriations and support’s Colorado’s system of water rights administration. P-16(NEW)Recognize the importance of negotiations, agreements and legislation involving the Colorado River.P-17(NEW)Recognizes the distinct roles of the State, the Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Roundtable, while supporting dialogue and cooperation to better align local and statewide interests. P-18(NEW)Recognizes and protects the compact entitlement as negotiated and enforced by the State of ments: 1. Recommend removal because: (1) Roundtable is not in a position to take responsibility to “defend” water rights holdersP-19(NEW)Comments: (1) Draft new principle addressing buy and dry type transfers. 2. Add more clarity on preventing or at least discouraging speculators from attaching Southwest while recognizing the state’s rule but building local resiliency and defenses. Such as advancing Article III(a) of the Colorado River Compact Draft 2021 BIP Goals and StrategiesThe draft goals and strategies are described below. Red line edits show the process the subcommittee has undergone to clarify, edit, or remove specific strategies. In the 2015, all bullets were considered goals under boarder themes. To improve the 2021 BIP, the six broad themes became overarching goals while the remaining 2015 goals became 2021 strategies. Goal A: Balance All Needs and Reduce ConflictStrategies to meet Goal A:Pursue a high success rate for identified specific and unique IPPs to meet identified gaps and to address all water needs and values.Support specific and unique new IPPs important to maintaining the quality of life in this region, and to address multiple purposes including municipal, industrial, environmental, recreational, agricultural, risk management, and compact compliance needs.Implement multi-purpose IPPs (including the creative management of existing facilities and the development of new storage as needed).A1: Support IPPs important to maintaining the quality of life in this region by pursuing community supporteddirected IPPs that address a single and/or multiple water needs, for example,.. Such as municipal, industrial, environmental, recreational, agricultural, risk management and compact compliance needs. A2: Promote Support dialogue, foster cooperation, collaboration, and resolve conflictconflict resolution among water interests in every sub-basin and, between basins, and at the Roundtable for the purpose of implementing solutions strategies to mitigate risk and build resiliency to for Southwest Colorado’s and Colorado’s water supply challenges. (SWSI 2010).Maintain watershed health by protecting and/or restoring watersheds that could affect critical infrastructure and/or environmental and recreational areas.A3: Support and implement education and outreach efforts to the diverse communities of Southwest Colorado to create a water fluent public by providing relevant local and statewide water information. Goal B: Maintain Agriculture Water NeedsStrategies to meet Goal B:B1: Minimize statewide andSouthwest Colorado basin-wide acres transferred.B2: Implement efficiency measures to maximize beneficial use and production.B3: Implement IPPs that work towards meeting agricultural water supply shortages.B4: Support appropriate measures and efforts to increase carryover storage in Southwest Colorado reservoirs. B5: Recognize and support shown benefits of agriculture to the environment and recreational activities.Goal C: Meet Municipal and Industrial Water NeedsStrategies to meet Goal C: C1: Pursue a high success rate for identified specific and unique IPPs to meet the municipal gap.C2: Provide safe and accessible drinking water to Southwest Colorado’s citizens and visitors.C3: Promote wise and efficient water use through implementation of municipal conservation and efficiency strategies to reduce overall future water needs.Support and implement water reuse strategies.Goal D: Meet Recreational Water NeedsStrategy to meet Goal D: D1: Maintain, protect, and enhance recreational values that support and economic values to local and statewide regional economies derived from recreational water uses, such as fishing, boating, hunting, wildlife watching, camping, and hiking.Goal E: Meet Environmental Water NeedsStrategies to meet Goal E: E1: Encourage and support restoration, recovery, and sustainability of endangered, threatened, and imperiled aquatic and riparian dependent species and plant communities. (See list of such species in the Southwest Basin)**E2: Protect, maintain, monitor, and improve the condition and natural function of streams, lakes, wetlands, and riparian areas to promote self-sustaining fisheries, and to support native species and functional habitat (aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems) in the long term, and adapt to changing conditions.Goal F: Promote Healthy Watersheds to Support Water Values Strategies to meet Goal F: F1: Monitor, protect, and improve water quality for all classified uses. F2: Maintain watershed health by protecting and/or restoring watersheds that could affect water supply, water quality, critical infrastructure and/or environmental and recreational areas.F3: Implement IPPs that build resilient watersheds and healthy forests impacted by drought, fire, and climate change. F4: Encourage and support preventative, controlled, or eradication efforts focused on invasive species issues, both terrestrial and aquatic. Goal G:Comply with Colorado River Compact and Manage Risk Associated with Colorado River Compact and Other Legal Commitments Strategies to meet Goal G: G1: Plan and preserve water supply options for all existing and new uses and values.G2: Support viable strategies to reduce demand in the Colorado River Basin to ensure levels in Lake Powell are adequate to produce power.build resiliency and manage Compact risk.G3: Support strategies to mitigate the impact of a Colorado River Compact curtailment should it occur.G3: Ensure southwest Colorado is informed on regional and statewide opportunities, threats, and challenges negations, agreements, and legislation activities from inception to completion.G4: and is actively involved to eEnsure the interests of southwest Colorado water rights holders and water users are protected and represented at a statewide level. ................
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