Basin Implementation Plan - BIP
What does the BIP address?
The need to retain a share of native flows for existing uses and future development
The need to preserve the natural hydrology for environmental and recreational use
The need for appropriately located, sized, and operated projects to protect water uses and the environment, particularly during drought
The need to consider and to address all of these within the roundtable process
BIP Goals
- Protect the YWG Basin from the Colorado River Compact curtailment of existing decreed water uses and some increment of future uses.
- Protect and encourage agricultural uses of water in the YWG Basin within the context of private property rights.
- Improve agricultural water supplies to increase irrigated land and reduce shortages.
- Identify and address Municipal and Industrial water shortages.
- Quantify and protect non-consumptive water uses.
- Maintain and consider the existing natural range of water quality that is necessary for current and anticipated water uses.
- Restore, maintain, and modernize water storage and distribution infrastructure.
- Develop an integrated system of water use, storage, administration and delivery to reduce water shortages and meet environmental and recreational needs.
Basin Implementation Plan Update 2021
In 2021 the Yampa-White-Green Basin Roundtable began the process of updating their BIP. Through this process the roundtable has reviewed its Identified Projects and Process list, achievements made on the BIP goals and added new objectives to each of the goals in the BIP to address new challenges facing the Yampa-White-Green Basins.
Quick review of the BIP update
BIP Update Timeline
2015
Release first BIP
2020
Technical update of the Colorado Water Plan
2021
Roundtable BIP update
2022
Colorado Water Plan Update
CWCB released the Final Draft of the 2021 BIP updates January 31, 2022
These updated BIPs advance the work the Roundtables did in 2015. Volume 1 is a shorter and standardized strategy document that makes comparing the different Basin BIPs easier. Volume 2 is a longer and more in-depth document for those that need greater detail.
To see all the Nine BIPs please see the CWCB website:
Colorado Water Plan
The Yampa-White-Green Basin Implementation Plan was one of the nine basin implementation plans used by the state to develop the Colorado Water Plan. Colorado’s Water Plan sets forth strategies to meet our future needs through balanced policies and actions that all Coloradans and their elected officials can support
2022 Colorado Water Plan Update:
The CWCB has released a draft Colorado Water Plan Update June 30, 2022 for a 90 day commit period. Taking decades of water policy and collaboration, the update has four core values. 1). A productive economy that support vibrant and sustainable cities, agriculture, recreation and tourism. 2) An efficient and effective water infrastructure system. 3) A strong environment with healthy watersheds, rivers, streams and wildlife. 4) An informed public with creative, forward-thinking solutions that are sustainable and resilient to changing conditions and results in strong, equitable communities that can adapt and thrive in face of adversity.
Please review the update at the CWCB engage website.
Big River Committee
While the Basin Roundtable (BRT) has to concern itself with all basin-wide issues, processes, and projects, as well as interbasin and State-wide topics, the Big River Committee (BRC) was formed at the direction of the BRT to focus solely on the issues associated with the relationships among and between the major rivers in the basin, and the Colorado River system as a whole. The timing of the need for the BRC is driven in part by the current Drought Contingency Plan and Demand Management discussion, including the soon-to-be-completed Risk Study. Working within the context of the BIP and the YWG White Paper, the BRC will seek to surface and explore in detail issues that will affect the Basin, ultimately informing the policy of the BRT as it contributes to statewide water planning. For that purpose, the BRC may present draft documents and/or policy proposals for consideration by the BRT. The BRC is a recommending entity; the BRT is the decision-making entity.