HomeMy WebLinkAbout20061573.tiff pia Applegate
Group,
June 6, 2006
Bill Jerke, Chairman
South Platte River Roundtable
c/o Weld County
PO Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
RE: Request for your Consideration and Support of the Ovid Reservoir Water Project
Dear Chairmata4e:
I represent the Ovid Reservoir Company which has recently applied for a loan from the Colorado
Water Conservation Board (CWCB). This loan will start the process of constructing a small off
channel reservoir in the Northeastern corner of Colorado near the Town of Ovid. A group of 31
farmers have banded together to develop this project to provide augmentation water supplies for
67 wells they use on their farms. It would help provide augmentation water to irrigate
approximately 7,700 acres of farmland.
The successful development of this project is important for these people and could also play a
role in helping Colorado with other in-state water issues on the South Platte River. It is
significant that this is the only water project being proposed to CWCB that would actually
develop a new water supply for beneficial use. All other proposals for loans that have been made
to CWCB this year are for rehabilitation of existing structures or modernization.
It is also significant that these farmers are putting together a business plan approach to
developing this project. They have a vision for the area and are willing to put their money where
their mouth is. What they do need from the State is a loan to help them get this project off the
ground.
This project was originally conceived by Groundwater Appropriators of the South Platte
(GASP). CWCB actually approved a $1.7 million loan for this project in 1998. Due to adverse
rulings on water augmentation issues, GASP was never able to start this project. GASP is in the
process of dissolving, which has left a lot of South Platte wells in jeopardy of being curtailed.
The Ovid Reservoir Company was formed to purchase the assets of this project, (property, water
rights, engineering studies, etc.) from GASP and move forward with development. This loan
request will help them acquire the assets and become the new owners.
2006-1573
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1499 West 120th Avenue, Suite 200 (303)452-6611 • Fax(303)452-2759
CJ -Denver, Colorado 80234-2759 www.applegategroup.com
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Mr. Bill Jerke
RE: The Ovid Reservoir Water Project
June 6, 2006
Page 2 of 2
Although this is a loan application through CWCB, per our phone messages, I am requesting that
this project be placed on the agenda of the South Platte River Roundtable for a presentation to
the group. This project is in alignment with goals and objectives of the roundtable process and
could serve as a great example of how solutions to our many challenges in water could be met. It
appears that making a presentation prior to the CWCB hearing in July is not possible. The two
processes are not dependent on each other and making a presentation at a later date than the loan
hearing is still a priority.
Although this application and project are downriver from Weld County, we ask that you as a
county commissioner voice your support of this project to CWCB and urge them to approve this
loan application. You have been a strong voice in the water community about the importance for
Colorado to put water to beneficial use. It will be on their agenda at their quarterly meeting on
July 25, 2006 in Durango.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Applegate Group, Inc.
a 7
Mike Applegate, PE, CCE
CMA/ta
cc: Rob McClary, President Ovid Reservoir Company
AG File No: P04-155
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