SWSI Environment and Recreation Needs and Priorities TRT Draft

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Overview of Environmental and Recreational Options The primary objectives of the environmental and recreational options compiled and discussed in SWSI are to provide flow and/ or habitat enhancement of surface water features - both streams and lakes. Specifically, environmental and recreational options may provide for enhancement of: . Fish habitat . Endangered species habitat . Aquatic recreation . Water quality . Wetlands . Riparian corridors Some key characteristics and features of these types of options are: 1. Environmental and recreational options are not intended to merely provide mitigation of the impacts of other water supply projects. Mitigation of environmental impacts of new projects is required by law and is already a critical component of project planning. Mitigation is performed to offset potentially deleterious impacts of these projects. Environmental and recreational options, on the other hand, are meant to provide enhancement of resources. As an example, replacing wetlands impacted by a new water supply pipeline is considered environmental mitigation rather than an environmental and recreational option. 2. Environmental and recreational options may be stand-alone projects or may be integrated into other water supply projects (e.g., M&I or agricultural). 3. Environmental and recreational options are to be implemented consistent with state water law and interstate compacts. 4. Environmental and recreational options are subject to NEP A, CW A, ESA, and other applicable laws with respect to mitigating unintended adverse impacts of the options. Existing Statewide Environmental and Recreational Options As noted in Section 6 of the SWSI Report, the CWCB has an existing program for appropriating, acquiring, and protecting instream flow water rights and natural lake levels. This stream and lake protection program is designed to "preserve and improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree." The CWCB appropriates minimum stream flows or natural surface water levels or volumes for natural lakes to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree. The CWCB is also authorized "to acquire, by grant, purchase, donation, bequest, devise, lease, exchange, or other contractual agreement, from or with any person, including any governmental entity, such water, water rights or interests in water in such amount as the Board determines is appropriate for stream flows or natural surface water levels or volumes for natural lakes to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree." The CWCB protects these instream flow water rights both by obtaining terms and conditions in ~5\^ISI S.lal~.....ide WeIer Supply Initiclive DRAFT CDIVI C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ROWANNC\DESKTOP\SWSI\RICKREDREC_ENV WHITE PAPER_1 Q-4-QS.DOC 12