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<br />,. ," <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Water Availability. BLM is not aware of at, decreed surface diversions wilhin this reach or <br />upstream of this reach. However, there are n~merous small reservoirs and spring developments <br />located in the watersheds that feed Black SlJ!~hur Creek. BLM recon....lll:lIlili using USGS gage <br />09306175 (Black Sulphur Creek near Rio Blanco, CO) as an indicator of water availability. <br />I <br />This gage is located at the contluence of Black Sulphur Creek and Piceance Creek. <br />Accordingly, a basin apportionment analysis ~an be perfonned to determine water availability for <br />I <br />this reach, which is located high within the Black Sulphur Creek watershed. An additional <br />indicator of water availability would be diver~ion records for Duckett Ditch and other diversions <br />located immediately downstream from the pr6posed reach. <br />I <br />I <br />Relationship to Management Plans. The White Ri ver Resource Management Plan identifies <br />management of streams supporting coldwaterlfisheries as a priority for BLM. The plan specifies <br />that BLM will work to improve riparian and Jqualic conditions in these streams. and will also <br />work to prevent surface disturbances close to fhem. In addition, the plan specifies that BLM will <br />work with the Colorado Water Conservation Board to appropriate instream flow water rights to <br />protect these fisheries. This fishery has been fuaintained because of the remote location of the <br />creek and very low fishing pressure. Under cJrrent management plans, this management <br />scenario is likely to continue. I <br /> <br />The BLM requests that the Board recognize tnat this recommendation is based only upon the <br />minimum flows necessary to support cold-wa~er fishery values. BLM may wish to work with <br />the Board and/or through the Colorado water Fights system to appropriate flows to optimally <br />I <br />protect fish values and to protect other water-dependent values specified in BLM resource <br />I <br />management plans. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Data sheets, R2Cross output, fishery survey infonnation, and photogmphs of the cross section are <br />enclosed to support this recommendation. W~, thank both the Division of Wildlife and the Water <br />Conservation Board for their cooperation in th~s effort. <br /> <br />If you have any questions regarding our instream flow recommendation. please contact Roy <br />, <br />Smith at 303-239-3940. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Linda Anania <br />Deputy State Director <br />Resources and Fire <br /> <br />4 Enclosures <br /> <br />cc: Nate Dieterich, White River Field Office , <br /> <br />. <br />