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To ensure that future recommendations more clearly explain the need for an increase, staff will <br />require inclusion of the following additional items, at a minimum, for recommendations for <br />increases to existing appropriations: <br />1) Identification of the factors that prompted the recommending entity to consider an <br />increase in instream flow. Examples of such factors could include land management <br />plan revisions, implementation of resource management plans, a review of existing <br />management plans, the existence of state-listed species or declines in species numbers, <br />vigor, etc. <br />2) Identification of the circumstances necessitating an increase and the scientific <br />rationale that supports the proposed increase. This information will be similar to the <br />data requested for a new appropriation but it will provide a more in-depth analysis of <br />the natural environment and the rationale that points to the need for an increase. It will <br />not only include a description of the indicator species that help to define the presence of a <br />natural environment, but specific data on why the current ISF is or could be limiting to <br />the reasonable preservation of that species. For example, are there temperature or water <br />quality limitations? Are there other unique characteristics such as vegetation or other <br />species? Has there been an observable and documented decline in the species or other <br />degradation of the natural environment that could be slowed, halted, or reversed by an <br />increase in flows? Based on current scientific knowledge, would a decline or degradation <br />be expected based on observations in similar watersheds? Is there new or additional <br />water availability data? What other changes would give rise to the need for an <br />increase? <br />This information will be summarized in Staff's executive summary report to the Board for the <br />Board's review. <br />Conclusion <br />Requests for increases in existing appropriations will likely present unique circumstances to be <br />evaluated on a case by case basis. Staff will process these recommendations in accordance with <br />the statutory guidance outlined in C.R.S. 37-92-102(4)(a) and with ISF Rule 5 concerning new <br />appropriations. Staff will also provide the Board with information on the factors that prompted <br />the recommendation, the scientific rationale supporting the increase, and other information the <br />Board needs to make its three statutory determinations. Based on the foregoing, the Board then <br />will be equipped to exercise its discretion on whether to appropriate the increased ISF amount, <br />giving due consideration to correlating the activities of mankind with some reasonable <br />preservation of the natural environment. <br />The purpose of this agenda item is to respond to questions and concerns expressed by the Board. <br />No Board action is required. <br />Attachments <br />5 <br />