WSP11602

• File Number: 8240.200.30.B
• Description: UCRBRIP Instream Flow Approprations
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 9/1/1995
• Author: CWCB
• Title: CWCB Board Meeting Memos
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Board Memo

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STA~ OF COLORADO

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources

72l Sla1.c: Centennial Building
1313 Sherman Stree'
Denver. Colorado 80203
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Roy Romer
Governor

MEMORANDUM

James S. Lochhead
Executive Director. DNR

Danes c. We, P.E.
D1reclor. eweB

TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

FROM: Peter Evansc:?~ ~~ot
Gene Jencsok ~ IF'

DATE: October 17, 1995

SUBJECT: Agenda Item I, October 20, 1995 Board Meeting
Endangered Fish Recovery ISF Water Right - Colorado River (Mainstcm)

On September 15, 1995, the Preliminary Notice was issued for an Instream Flow
Appropriation in the Colorado River (mainstem) between the Grand Valley Irrigation Company
diversion at Palisade and the confluence of the Gunnison River at Grand Junction to preserve
habitat and protect flows necessary to recover the four endangered fish species (i.e., the Colorado
squawfish, hwnpback chub, bonytail chub, and razorback sucker). Tb.is segment of the Colorado
River is generally referred to as the "IS Mile Reach."
These state efforts to protect instream flows in the 15 Mile Reach of the Colorado River
reflect Colorado's commitment to pursue a less confrontational alternative to the fedcral
regulatory process that would otherwise dominate the development and management of Colorado
River water supplies, Based on the 1994 "Statement of Policy and Procedure'" adopted hy the
Colorado Water Conscrvation Board ("CWCB'") for appropriation offish recovcry instrcam
flows, and your direction that we make every effort to meet the flow protection deadlincs
established through the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Specics in the
UppefColorado River Basin ("Recovery Program'"), we have evaluated many water rights
appropriation options and reviewed the results in many public meetings before developing this
proposal. However, in light of the relatively young science which supports the devclopment of
instream flow recommendations for these endangered species, the large size of the 110\\
recommcndations, the location of the instream flow segments, the interstate COmpJel issucs_ the
Snowmass Creek ruling, and other issues, we expect thattherc will be continued concern rel,\lcd
to the CWCB commitment to protect flows for the recovery of the endangered fishcs,
The Recovery Program's Recovery Action Plan (RlPRAP) incorporates the CWCB's
commitment to apply for instream flow water rights in the IS Mile Reach of the Colorado Rivcr
by December 1995, Meeting this schedule will effectively demonstrate the CWCB's willingness
to protect instream flows for the recovery of endangered species in a manner which is consistcnt
with Colorado's laws and property rights. This effort by the CWCB will also help 10 assure that