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<br />for recreational use in the River Park and sections below the park. Simultaneously, it will enable <br />the irrigation water users a means of obtaining their decreed water. <br /> <br />Compliance with 37-75-102 C.R.S. The proposed project fully meets the requirements of the <br />statute. The project does not impair or affect, in any way, the current system of allocating or <br />adjudicating water rights as permitted under Colorado Law. <br /> <br />Funding: <br />Funding for Part 1 of the project is being sought from Basin funds through the Gunnison Basin <br />Water Roundtable. In addition, preliminary contact with the Conservation Alliance has been made; <br />they have invited the Association to submit a funding proposal. The Delta Conservation District <br />also supports the project and will provide in-kind engineering review and other support. In-kind <br />donations of rock by CDOT are valued at $25,000. Preliminary site assessment, including <br />environmental evaluation, necessary to actual construction of the project have been completed. <br />This work has been completed at a cost of $28,516 and is shown as in-kind in the project budget. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />This type of project is a good example of providing benefits to the community and the river while <br />helping to ensure continued, reliable and efficient deliveries of water for agriculture. The <br />Association’s mission is to “meet current and future demands for traditional uses of the river while <br />improving stream stability, riparian habitat, and ecosystem function.” This project supports this <br />mission completely. By undertaking these types of improvements to irrigation diversions, the <br />historic practice of using bulldozers to pushing-up gravel each season to divert water can be <br />avoided. Not only do the irrigators receive benefits such as reduction in maintenance and receipt <br />of their full diversion amount but the stream (i.e. fisheries, water quality and riparian system) <br />benefits greatly from not having the destructive practices occurring each season. <br /> <br />The Applicant has met the minimum threshold and meets much of the evaluation criteria set forth <br />in the WSRA Criteria and Guidelines. As described above, this project is a great example of one <br />that promotes collaboration and cooperation amongst varying interests, including consumptive and <br />non-consumptive. The Association has a successful track-record in these types of projects, <br />including the restoration of 6.5 miles of stream and four such headgate reconstruction projects. <br /> <br />It should also be highlighted that the Applicant’s ability to relate how this project related to the <br />key findings and recommendations of SWSI. For instance, the key finding that were cited include: <br /> <br />Significant increases in Colorado's population together with agricultural water <br />? <br /> <br />needs and an increased focus on recreational and environmental uses will intensify <br />competition for water; <br />Environmental and recreational uses of water are expected to increase with <br />? <br /> <br />population growth. These uses help support Colorado's tourism industry, provide <br />recreational and environmental benefits for our citizens, and are an important <br />industry in many parts of the state. Without a mechanism to fund environmental <br />and recreational enhancement beyond the project mitigation measures required <br />by law, conflicts among M&I, agricultural, recreational, and environmental users <br />could intensify; and <br /> - 4 - <br /> <br />