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 There is an urgency associated with this project from a number of perspectives. Water rights on the South Platte have been under threat from purchase and removal of consumptive water units; "buy and dry". This effect, although not new, has escalated over the past several years resulting in reduced water allocations or whole scale dry- up. While we don't believe this project will solve all problems, we hope that it will be an example of the power of partnerships to other basins in the state. Additionally, NA WCA grants applications compete nationally for about $50 million. These grants are ranked by Joint Ventures. In Colorado, the Playa Lakes Joint Venture would rank the South Platte NA WCA application. They have informed DU that there would not be a competing grant application. As a rule of thumb all joint ventures are awarded at least one NA WCA application per round. Therefore, this NA WCA application would have a high probability of being funded this round. Most of the projects identified in the proposal can be completed by July, 2009. Ducks Unlimited, and many of its partners have set annual budgets that will be implemented by July 2008. Although most of the design and permitting phase can be completed by July 2008, most of the construction phase will take place the following fiscal year. Budgeting time and funds in this manner may.seem long, but supposing grant application awards, followed by contracting time, it usually takes 6-8 months just to get funding contracts in place before any work can commence. Ducks Unlimited and its partners have demonstrated the ability to implement the project in the proposed timeframe. We have a long a respected history of delivering these types of project in a timely manner and have the experience to understand all the nuahces associated with delivering recharge type projects. Through our partnership, DU and PFW will deliver the survey and design and construct projects. The LSPWCD, NCWCD, SPWRAP, and SPLRG will assist landowners with water engineering and accounting through the project and beyond. Water rights filings will be pursued and maintained by the landowner. Currently, DU and PFW have never delivered a recharge project that hasn't eventually delivered the expected water either through decreed rights or through temporary substitute supply plans. This is due largely to working with dedicated and knowledgeable partners. Meetine: Water Manae:ement Goals and Obiectives and Identified Water Needs The water activity helps complete a needs assessment, including consumptive and/or non- consumptive needs, that was not fully funded from other sources. Not applicable. The water activity meets one or more of the water management objectives identified in the 3 Statewide Water Supply Initiative, helps implement projects and processes identified as helping meet Colorado's future water needs, and/or addresses the gap areas between available water supply and future need as identified in: the Statewide Water Supply Initiative or a roundtable's st basin-wide water needs assessment done in accordance with the Colorado Water for the 21 Century Act. 9