Yampa - Common Data Repository Application

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Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant Application Form Form Revised May 2007 _______________________________________ impact water rights. We intend in the future to collect high quality data for the basis of collaborative efforts in defining current conditions and identifying significant water quality problems should they exist or alleviating undue concern if none are found. To alleviate our concern about this data impacting water rights it is our understanding that Department of Health does not include jurisdiction over water rights should this data be used in a standards setting process. We reiterate that our intent is only to more fully understand the status of the quality of water in the Upper Basin and, should any significant problems be found, to work jointly with the Roundtable, as well as with other interested parties, on solutions. 3. The water activity underwent an evaluation and approval process and was approved by the Basin Roundtable (BRT) and the application includes a description of the results of the BRT’s evaluation and approval of the activity. At a minimum, the description must include the level of agreement reached by the roundtable, including any minority opinion(s) if there was not general agreement for the activity. The description must also include reasons why general agreement was not reached (if it was not), including who opposed the activity and why they opposed it. Note- If this information is included in the letter from the roundtable chair simply reference that letter. A letter from Mr. Tom Sharp, Chairman of the Yampa White Roundtable is enclosed. The letter states: “On October 17, 2007 the Yampa/White River Basin Roundtable passed a motion unanimously supporting the use of basin funds for the development of a common data repository and water resource assessment of the Upper Yampa River Basin”. 4. The water activity meets the provisions of Section 37-75-104(2), Colorado Revised Statutes. The requirements/language from the statute is provided in Part 3 of the Criteria and Guidelines. We think this proposal is in line with the language in CRS 37-75-104(2) to “develop a basin-wide consumptive and nonconsumptive water supply needs assessment.” Admittedly, this proposal does not directly deal with the quantity of water available. Many other studies are underway to assess the quantity needs of municipal, industrial, agricultural, energy and nonconsumptive uses from flow and volumetric standpoints. However, water quality issues are likely to increase in importance as these uses are further developed. It will be important to have an assessment of currently available data and plans for additional data collection in order to fill information gaps. The Roundtable can play an important role in funding this initial study and also in helping to guide future data collection efforts in the basin. Roundtable members are instrumental in managing the water resources in the basin and should therefore be key individuals in this effort. The project proponents are committed to continuing the data collection needs identified by this initial study. Additional data collection will be guided by a collaborative group coordinated by Routt County. We expect input from various municipal water providers including the City of Steamboat Springs, Mount Werner Water and Sanitation District, the towns of Yampa, Phippsburg, and Hayden as well as Morrison Creek Water and Sanitation District. We also expect agencies such as the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District, Colorado Division of Wildlife, BLM, NRCS and USFS to be involved. Direct cooperation among these agencies with a variety of responsibilities in consumptive and non-consumptive water uses will be advantageous in cooperatively solving water supply problems. Much of the water supplied to the Yampa River in the upper basin drains Forest Service lands, much irrigates private properties with help from the 5