Yampa - Common Data Repository Application

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Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant Application Form Form Revised May 2007 _______________________________________ NRCS in projects, and storage reservoirs in the basin serve virtually all uses in some fashion. The upper Yampa Basin generally contains exceptional water quality. However, concern over the temperature and associated dissolved oxygen levels causing closure of the Yampa River through the City of Steamboat Springs by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the City. Similarly, Stagecoach Reservoir experiences low dissolved oxygen levels at depth in the summer months and this has led to its placement on the “Monitoring and Evaluation” list by the Colorado Department of Health. Although these occurrences are not directly related, they show potential linkages between water quality and quantity. For example, in the first instance additional storage and summer releases might help with fisheries issues through Steamboat. In the second the storage of water may simply create a situation where stratification occurs, as in many natural lakes, but may create issues for some entities that supply water and treat wastewater above Stagecoach Reservoir. Obviously water quantity and quality issues are related and even though the regulatory processes are separated, project proponents must deal with these issues to permit and construct projects. The data assembled as part of this project and collected by subsequent County/City efforts will form a basis for conversations within the basin seeking appropriate solutions to future water challenges. 3. For Applications that include a request for funds from the Statewide Account, describe how the water activity meets the Evaluation Criteria. See Part 3 of Criteria and Guidelines. This proposal is seeking basin funds and the project is specific to the Upper Yampa River Basin. The application received the support of the Yampa/White River Basin Roundtable on October 17, 2007. 4. Please provide an overview of the water project or activity to be funded including – type of activity, statement of what the activity is intended to accomplish, the need for the activity, the problems and opportunities to be addressed, expectations of the participants, why the activity is important, the service area or geographic location, and any relevant issues etc. Please include any relevant TABOR issues that may affect the Contracting Entity. Please refer to Part 2 of Criteria and Guidance document for additional detail on information to include. The activity is the consolidation of the existing water quality data in the upper Yampa River Basin from the headwaters of the Yampa and Elk Rivers to a point below the confluence with Elkhead Creek in a web accessible format. An evaluation of that data into a published report on Basin water quality will follow. With that information a plan for additional data needs and public outreach will be completed. This activity is proposed to answer questions related to impacts from population growth, various development activities and natural sources of water constituents on the quality of water in the upper Yampa Basin. These questions have come from various governmental and citizen groups including the Steamboat Springs City Council, City Water Commission, County Commissioners and the County’s Livability group, among others. The participants expect to receive a tool to help evaluate the existing water quality in the basin, identify areas and constituents of concern and to access the need for additional data. The need comes from the lack of a comprehensive report to answer questions regarding the management of water resources from a quality perspective. Recognizing that water quantity needs are tied to growth and that growth and development issues are tied to water quality the need exists for this comprehensive assessment. For example the City of Steamboat Springs Water Commission’s mission statement reads: 6