South Platte - Lower South Platte Wetland Initiative Phase I_Application-Void

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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant Application Form Form Revised May 2007 Project tracts will provide for environmental enhancements. Wetlands are well documented for their ability to remove suspended solids, dissolved solids, and chemicals from water. The lower South Platte River is well known for its nitrogen and salinity loads. Recharge wetlands offer opportunity to remove water from the river and filter it through the wetlands basins before returning to the aquifer. Most information regarding wetland water treatment is derived from several studies conducted over the last 20 years. There is relatively little water quality data been collected from established recharge projects along the South Platte. The City of Brush conducted several years of monitoring along the property boundary to determine groundwater contaminant changes that may be caused by the recharge project. The results showed that contaminants, such as nitrogens and salts, were reduced. Visual inspections of these wetlands also demonstrate suspended solids are removed due to settling as the water enters the aquifer. Wetlands habitats also provide direct benefit to adjacent uplands. Studies have shown that adjacent uplands up to 6 times the area of the wetland can be influenced by the wetland. Increased species richness and diversity in both plant and animal species is often observed. Promote cost effectiveness: Most partners involved in this project are non-profit organizations or state and federal agencies. With a diverse partnership each interest brings valuable expertise capable of developing projects from conception to delivery. Most upfront costs are kept low due to the nature of contributing partners and delivery is completed via federal regulations to promote competitive bids to assure the best contractors af the lowest price. Projects are also developed to promote cost efficiency to facilitate long term management (i.e., gravity feed vs. pumping). Protect cultural values: All tract lands have been cleared or are being reviewed for National Cultural Heritage Program clearances. Preliminary verbal clearance has been provided for all tracts. Provide for operational flexibility: Most projects will provide operational flexibility. The Heybome project will likely be operated by SPWRAP or LSPWCD or the District 64 Water District to assure that the best combination of water recharge, storage, irrigation, and wildlife needs are met. The projects will be operated in cooperation with several partners to meet the goals ofthis proposal and the long term goals of the Platte Recovery Program and SWSI. Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and water rights: Ducks Unlimited will assure that all applicable laws, regulations, and water rights are followed as the project progresses. The water activity promotes water conservation and efficiency: T he project promotes water conservation by putting water to beneficial use and thereby increasing efficiency of water rights associated with the tracts. The applicant has an existing water conservation plan: Ducks Unlimited unveiled a ten year conservation plan for Colorado in 2003. Water originating from the mountaintops in Colorado eventually reaches the Platte River in Nebraska, the Colorado River Delta in Mexico, the Arkansas River Bottoms in Arkansas, and the Rio Grande Delta in Texas. This water nourishes wetlands of these systems and provides stream flow critical to fish and wildlife. While many events and decisions along the course of these flows determine the ultimate quantity and quality of water 11