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. Wattenberg Ranch, Inc. Wattenberg Ranch, Inc. P.O. BOX 797 Walden, CO 80480 December 23, 2006 Mr. Dan Merriman Stream and Lake Protection Program Colorado Water Conservation Board 1331 Shennan St., Rm 121 Denver, CO 80203 Dear Sir: We are writing this letter in objection to the instream flow appropriation for the North Fork of the North Platte River in Jackson County. We strongly object to the approach that the BLM and Colorado Division of Wildlife are taking, to try and find a basis to appropriate base instream flows. . Wattenberg Ranch and the Wattenberg fiunily have historically used this water since 1884, and this instream flow appropriation will interfere with our ability to use OUT decreed water right and interfere with our ability to develop future water projects on our private land This action would certainly impact our business and injure future beneficial water uses by Wattenberg Ranch, Inc. The approach the BLM has taken in this matter is at best underhanded and very disrespectful of the water right holders on the North Fork of the NOOh Platte River. We received no notice that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was proposing these instream flows. We believe the BLM should be held to the same standard and be required to publish notice in the local paper and consult with water right owners before it recommends instream flows. This is even more critical because the latest proposals are below existing diversions and pose an imminent threat to existing and future water rights. In closing we would like to reiterate the filet, that as landowners who are successful Agricultural Producers for over 100 years on the same land. We wholeheartedly oppose instream flows that aoss private lands and include existing diversions. This appropriation would allow government entities the ability to take water rights from the rightful owners of said water rights without just compensation. We have been successful because of our diligence to protect and properly utilize the water on our private land. These instream flows will not promote conservation of Colorado water and will negatively affect the honest people of Jackson County. . Sincerely, t} ;4-- <<::.- ( ~/ rr"'''- /.-;:::>-:;; --- -~--. --~----~_. ..1 )/~ ') /1-.// i(J IlA~r-' , ,/ t..V~~ lK.,-/ / v - Nancy Wattenberg , Secretary: Wattenberg Ranch, Inc. David H. (Ty) Wattenberg President: Wattenberg Ranch, Inc.