Rio Grande - Romero-Guadalupe Channel Rectification Project_Application

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Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant Application Form Form Revised May 200 7 _______________________________________ b. Th is project brings together the Guadalupe Main Ditch Company, the senior ditch on the Conejos system, wh ich irrigates approximately 900 acres, and the Romero Irrigation Company, a mutual ditch company organized in 1900, which irrigates 10,872 acres. Land owners and share holders affected by this project are of mostly of Latino descent and have been associat ed with this land for many generations, with many families dating back to the founding of the State of Colorado. We have the proactive involvement of Conejos County Water Conservation District, Division of Wildlife, Conejos County Commissioners, Colorado D ivision of Water Resources Division III, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, Natural Resrouces Conservation Service, and Alamosa Riverkeepers. This project directly protects the community of Guadalupe from flooding, but also directly reduces the loss o f Rio Grande Compact waters to the system. It addresses intrabasin and interbasin needs to recharge the acquifer, to improve riparian habitat, increase and improve fish habitat, and improve water quality. Facilitating Water Activity Implementation c. Without funding from this a ccount this project would be impossible. d. The urgency of this project is to prevent water from breaching the north bank of the Conejos in the affected area, thereby preventing the flooding of the town of Guadalupe and the de struction of the combined irrigation systems of these two ancient ditch companies. The likelihood of this happening is very high, according to all engineering and environmental assessments. The window of opportunity to accomplish this will occur when the w ater recedes and the ground begins to freeze later this year. e. Th is project can be completed in six months, starting in November of this year and ending at the end of April of 2008. The complexity of the job is not so great, given that we have the exp ertise of NRCS and a proven technology of Dr. Rosgen’s rock weirs and J - hooks. f. With the technical assistance of the NRCS and the 100 - plus years of ditch management experience of our two companies, we can manage this job. By employing Robins Constructio n Company, whose experience and contacts are included in this proposal, we have the expertise and ability to successfully implement and complete the proposed activity. g. We are providing MORE in matching funds than we are asking for. We are matching our request for $83,700 with our own $88,600. Our sources include NRCS, Conejos Water Conservation District, Romero Irrigation Company, and Guadalupe Ditch Company. h. Conejos County has three times the level of poverty than the State. Our need for NRCS tec hnical assistance and for this proposal’s funds is critical. There are no other sources from which we could get these funds. Meeting Water Management Goals and Objectives and Identified Water Needs 6