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The DCWRA region is requesting assistance from the Bureau of Reclamation for regional rural watershed based infrastructure planning and financial assistance in the form of loan guarantees.   DCWRA is requesting if and how the new Reclamation Rural Water Supply Program can be applied to Douglas County, CO watershed.  The Eastern Colorado Area office and Great Plains Region offices of Reclamation have been extremely helpful.

Regional Water Issue:

325,000 existing residents are now reliant upon non-renewable Denver Basin Groundwater.  Target communities in the region have populations less than 50,000.   Sustainable surface water solutions must be brought to the region.  Regional infrastructure must be constructed to deliver this solution.  Planning efforts are now within historical timelines.  Movement is considered critical at this time.  Our population enjoys a high per capita income.  There is a willingness and ability to repay debt.  This may represent a billion dollar total solution, with phasing likely over a thirty year time horizon.  Active conservation and education programs are in place.  There is a solution to our issue, and that solution is affordable.  Our goal is to become "The Poster Child" for a successful rollout of this new program at Reclamation.

Regional Water Solution:

1)  Cooperate with area water interests, including Denver Water and City of Aurora, to optimize water assets in the region, exploring conjunctive use, reuse of return flows, conservation, capture of high flows on the S. Platte river in wet years, and willing buyer/willing seller transfer of water supplies from agricultural water users on the lower S. Platte.  This effort is being spearheaded by the S. Metro Water Supply Authority. 

2)  Design, fund, and construct connecting regional water infrastructure in our largely rural area, using planning assistance and federal loan guarantees from Bureau of Reclamation's Rural Water Supply Program.  The pursuit of this project is the topic of this note.

3)  Cooperate with other Front Range water interests to construct a project that moves incremental water supplies from the Western Slope.   S. Metro is participating in these discussions.

Recent Regional Developments in Douglas County Colorado Watershed :

a) Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) signed 12/09, linking water interests in regional watershed pursuit of if and how RRWSP can fit our region.  Partners in IGA are Board of County Commissioners, Rural Water Authority of Douglas County, S. Metro Water Supply Authority, and Douglas County Water Resource Authority.  Delegates to committee selected February 2010.  First meeting scheduled April 2010.

b)  $600,000 grant received from Colorado Water Conservation Board to pursue Reclamation opportunity.  USDA Technical Assistance and Training Grant, applied for $997,500.  If successful, part of proceeds represent matching federal funds to State grant.  (We have also applied to EPA for $200,000 environmental education grant.)

c)  Using the Great Plains planning document, a work group met from May 2008 to July 2009 to create a draft document depicting what an Appraisal study document might look like.  Bolstering of this draft needed in environmental piece and benefit to cost analysis.  The plan for public engagement and consultation has been drafted.  If and when accepted to Reclamation Rural Water Supply Program, an existing funded work group can move swiftly to implement outreach process and move to completion of Appraisal Study document, and request Feasibility process.  Eastern Colorado Area office and Great Plains Region office have been extremely helpful.  Their courtesy  to us has been exemplary.

d)  Active dialogue with USDA Rural Utilities Service office on opportunities, and potential integration with Reclamation Rural Water Supply Program.  Colorado office has conferred with USDA in DC as to next steps/best path forward.  Dialogue is active.