With the clock ticking on the Colorado Water Plan deadlines, regional planners working on the South Platte Basin Implementation Plan (BIP) are turning to the public for input.
The South Platte Basin Roundtable and Metro Roundtable are hosting joint meetings to provide an overview on the Colorado Water Plan, which is being developed following an executive order by Gov. John Hickenlooper to address the gap between Colorado’s water supply and growing water needs. Colorado’s nine roundtables are currently completing BIPs that will contribute to the formation of Colorado’s Water Plan. A first draft of the Water Plan was released to the public Dec. 10, 2014.
The sessions also include a presentation on the draft South Platte BIP, which outlines how much water is needed for the region’s future, and how to meet the gap between demand and supply. The draft BIPs were released in July 2014; the final versions are due in April.
“Members of the South Platte Basin and Metro Roundtables have dedicated countless hours over the last decade to finding solutions that are pragmatic, balanced, and consistent with Colorado law and property rights,” the South Platte Roundtable said in a written release. “However, there is still much work that needs to be done to provide for the water needs of the South Platte Basin, including the Denver Metro area, and the State as a whole.”
The volunteers who serve on the South Platte Basin and Metro Roundtables represent agricultural, municipal, industrial, governmental, environmental and recreational interests. They were created by the State Legislature in 2005, along with seven other roundtables representing each of Colorado’s river basins. They are tasked with determining how to meet the State’s projected near- and long-term water needs.
Joe Frank, chair of the South Platte Basin Roundtable, emphasized that “the Roundtables are traveling throughout the basin to educate the public on water supply shortages and other challenges. We need public feedback on solutions for our meeting current and future water needs.”
Mark Koleber, chair of the Metro Roundtable, also encouraged public participation, saying “It’s important for the public to understand our water supply situation, and to provide input on how to best address the challenges that we’ll be facing in the very near future.”
The next South Platte Basin Roundtable meeting will be held in Sterling Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Ramada Inn. From 4 to 5 p.m., the Roundtable will provide a presentation on the BIP, followed by a public question and answer session. Regular Roundtable business will be discussed from 5 to 8 p.m. Doors will open at 3:45 p.m.
The next Metro Roundtable meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora. From 4 to 6:30 p.m, the Roundtable will discuss regular business. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Roundtable will provide a presentation on the BIP, followed by a public question and answer session.
These meetings are free and the public may attend any of these sessions.
The Roundtables also held the first of two webinars on the BIP Tuesday night, which included a video about the Colorado Water Plan as well as more specifics about the South Platte Basin and the BIP.
The second webinar will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. To participate, go to southplattebasin.com and click the “Join Webinar Now” button at the top of the page.
For more information about the South Platte Basinc Implementation Plan, go to www.southplattebasin.com.
Sara Waite: 970-526-9310, swaite@journal-advocate.com
