RioGrandeComments02

• Basin: Rio Grande
• Title: Comments 2
• Date: 10/28/2003
• SWSI - Doc Type: Comments

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SWSI Comments Rio Grande Roundtable
10/22/03

These comments are in regards to the Rio Grande Roundtable draft objectives:
Submitted by Kate Booth Doyle: Rio Grande Coalition and Rio Grande Alliance

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After reading the excellent coverage of the SWSI meeting in the Alamosa Courier
yesterday, I noticed a glaring absence of environmental comments and felt somewhat
responsible for this lack of voice.
1. Reliably Meet Demands:
There needs to be a bullet addressing reliably meeting demands for the river. I did
make a comment about keeping the river 'wet', but did not press the issue of
maintaining a minimal instream flow. Bullet#3: Provide water where and when
it's needed for agriculture, recreation and environmental flows to sustain aquatic
Ii fe ~
2. Maximize Efficient Use of Existing Supply:
This generated quite a discussion and acknowledgement of what is already
happening in the Rio Grande headwaters. HoweverT possibly indicate in bullet #2:
Increase reuse and exchanges for agriculture and for the benefit of the river,
riparian area ,wetlands and habitat.
54 Support Recreational Opportunities
Encourage cooperative multiple uses of water to enhance recreational and wildlife
purposes.
Maintain adequate reservoir levels for flatwater recreation and healthy fishery
habitat.
Encourage the maintenance of reservoir operations to serve multiple pUIposes
(may be redundant)
Reflect vallIe of recreational practices on public lands that protect and preserve a
healthy riverine habitat.
6. Provide for Protection and Restoration of Natural Ecological H'abitats
Protect fisheries, aquatic life and watelfo\vl
Protect and restore riparian habitat
Maintain a healthy riverine and strealTI ecology in relation to new projects.
Protect and maintain water quality ,
Reduce and manage sediment loads
8~ Protect Cultural Values:
Bullet#3 Respect cultural diversity
9. Promote a healthy Colorado Economy