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<br /> <br />progra.rn~ curien,dy pending before the Colorado A~ornex General; that allow the <br />CWCB to acquire flows Uto p~eseI'Ve or impro~ the natu:(al ~nvironment to a reasonable <br />degree" (emphasis added).4 Thus the SWSI, funded" with! $3 million, and with its. <br />mandate to help Colorado rnaintiin flows for th~ environment, provides an important . <br />opportunity to improve the State1s informCl.tion about flo~s needed to enhance Colorado1s <br />rivers and streams and tbe species chat rely on them. <br /> <br />We recognize that an extensive field-based assessment of restoration flows is not possible <br />given the scope and budget of SWSI. However, we bring to your attention a recent study <br />by Covington and Hubed documenting a methodology (enclosed) that uses existing <br />databases such as streamgauge data (available from the USGS at <br />http://waterdata.usgs..gov/co/nwis/rr),, aerial photos (available from the USGS, and also <br />from tIle University of Colorado's Center for the Study of Earth from Space [CSES]), <br />and topographic informa.tion (available from USGS topographic quadrangle maps) to <br />estimate restoration flow needs for riparian ecosystems in the Rocky Mountain West. <br />SWSI could contribute meaningfUlly to river restoration in Colorado by defining <br />restoration flows with this methodology for Colorado~s. rivers and streaI1l:s.. SWSI at <br />minimum should define restoration flows and assess whetller or not they are attainable <br />under all water supply alterna.tives identified.. <br /> <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment1 and please do not hesitate to contact us if <br />you have questions. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />, .RA <br /> <br /> <br />Jennifer Pitt <br /> <br />Cc: <br />Melinda I(assen, Trout Unlimited <br />Susan Morea, Camp} Dresser & Mcl{ee Inc. <br />Kelly DiNatale) Camp, Dresser & McKce Inc~ <br />Steve Craig, Colorado Trout Vnlimited Collegiate Peal(S Chapter;l .A.rkansas Basin <br />Roundtable <br />SeEtta Moss, Arlcansas Valley Auduboq Society, Atkansas Basin Roundtable <br />Kristine Crandell Roaring Fork Conservancy) Colorado Basin Roundtable <br />John Trammel Colorado Trout Unlimited, Colorado :Basin Roundtable <br />Jeff Crane) North Fork River Improvement Association~ Gunnison Basin Roundtable <br />Steve Gl~er, High Country Citizens .Alliance, Gunnison Basin Roundtable <br />Kate Booth Doyle,Rio Grande / Rio Bravo Coalition, Rio Grande l:lasin Roundtable <br /> <br /> <br />4 CWCB~ Colorado Instteam Flow Program Rules as adopted by the CWCB on March 24)' 2003;1 6..62..- <br />j Covington:pl~ Scott~ and Wayne A. Hubert (2003). Trout Population Responses to Restoration of <br />Streamflows. Envi.ronmental Managemenr" 31(1)) 135-147. <br /> <br />~003 <br /> <br />