South Platte - Lower South Platte Wetland Initiative Water Activity Summary Sheet

• Basin Roundtable: South Platte
• Applicant: Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
• Description: Lower South Platte Wetland Initiative Phase I
• Account Source: Statewide
• Board Meeting Date: 9/19/2007
• Contract/PO #: C150415
• WSRA - Doc Type: Water Activity Summary Sheet - CWCB Evaluation/Approval Documents

The Applicant was quite thorough in describing how they meet the WSRA Threshold Criteria and the
Statewide Evaluation Criteria (please refer to the application to review their response in entirety). In
summary, the Applicant stresses the importance of these types of river augmentation projects to the local
community, entire basis and the State of Colorado. By diverting the available winter flows and applying this
water to off-stream recharge basins, relatively junior rights are able to continue diverting. Obviously, the
benefits extend beyond the State’s desire to fully utilize its compact entitlements. These types of projects
also provide for important wetland habitat for waterfowl as well as a potential source of water for the
endangered species. Below is a list of criteria that pertain to how a particular water activity addresses issues
of Statewide Value. Staff believes this project meets most, if not all, of the criteria listed below.

The water activity helps sustain agriculture, and open space, or meets environmental or
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recreational needs.
The water activity assists in the administration of compact-entitled water or addresses problems
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related to compact entitled waters and compact compliance and the degree to which the activity
promotes maximum utilization of state waters.
The water activity assists in the recovery of threatened and endangered wildlife species or
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Colorado state species of concern.
The water activity provides a high level of benefit to Colorado in relationship to the amount of
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funds requested.
The water activity is complimentary to or assists in the implementation of other CWCB programs.
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The water activity helps supports the State's economic vitality and competitiveness in national
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and international markets.

Issues/Additional Needs:

Please provide a detailed project schedule that provides a timeline for the identified
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tasks/subtasks.
SWSI identified that in the future, winter calls will occur more frequently. As senior conditional
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water rights are perfected, will these wetland recharge projects be able to remain operational?
Please provide additional detail.
The deliverables described for the Brush Prairie Ponds do not include water rights analysis and
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engineering details—please include as deliverables.
It is unclear from the application how much water might be made available from these projects.
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Please provide additional detail.
Considering that the State will contribute significantly to this project, should the State be
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provided an interest in the water, or at a minimum the right of first refusal?

Staff Recommendation:

The proposed project meets the Threshold Criteria and meets many, if not most, of the criteria for the
Statewide Fund. Staff recommends approval of up to $278,476 for the Lower South Platte Wetlands
Initiative Phase I project contingent on resolution of the items in the issues/additional needs section. It
should be noted that past costs can not be reimbursed.

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