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<br />Otherwise, you will seriously overestimate the shortfall for which alternatives should be <br />developed. Along the same lines, it will be important to calculate the extent to which <br />projects already in the works ("Tier I") will reduce the gap between future supply and <br />de mand 4 <br /> <br />( 4) Instream flow demands. I remain concerned that existing RICDs and instream flows <br />are the basis for future demand. In reality, these demands will increase in the future as <br />well. As more people move into Colorado's front range, demand for quality-of-life <br />considerations like flowing streams, as well as for recreational opportunities associated <br />with those streams, will increase as well. CWCB will presumably continue to make <br />filings for instream flows (many streams are specifically identified on the ewCB <br />workplan for new filings and will be addressed over the coming years - a copy of this list <br />is available from ewCR). New communities will file for RICDs for their recreational <br />developments. Other programs to address stream flow needs will also be developed. <br />While the exact nature of this demand is difficult to quantify, it needs to be recognized at <br />least qualitatively. The Water Trust maps that have been provided to you previously <br />identify some key reaches of concern including currently water-short areas. Demands for <br />flow in these reaches should be incorporated in SWSI. For other reaches, even absent <br />CWCR filings, it seems like a reasonable assumption that some minimum flow will be <br />expected for any new projects constructed on those reaches. Dry-up of perennial streams <br />is unlikely to be allowed for future projects. Aside from these general considerations, <br />there are some flow programs that should be recognized in SWSI. These include: <br /> <br />· The City of Boulder's instream flow project for the Boulder Creek watershed; <br />· The South Platte Protection Plan flow management plan (addressing releases from <br />Spinney, Elevenmile, Cheesman Reservoirs and the Roberts Tunnel) <br />· Flow programs for the Platte River endangered species in Nebraska <br />· The GreeleylFort CollinsfWater Supply & Storage Company Joint Operating Plan <br />on the Cache la Poudre River (while I have concerns about its adequacy, it is an <br />instream flow program that needs to be recognized) <br />· National Park Service reserved water rights in Rocky Mountain National Park <br /> <br />Additionally, there are a number of high-value fisheries in the South Platte watershed. <br />Streams and lakes in the watershed identified as Gold Medal waters include the South <br />Platte River (including the Middle Fork, the Dream Stream from Spinney to Elevennmile, <br />and the Cheesman CanyonlDeckers area) and Spinney Mountain Reservoir. DOW- <br />designated Wild Trout waters include the Cache la Poudre and Laramie Rivers in <br />northern Colorado, North St Vrain Creek, the South Platte (Wildcat and Cheesman <br />Canyons), the Middle Fork South Platte, and Tarryall Creek. Other rivers that support <br />significant local or regional fisheries include Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Boulder Creek, St. <br />Vrain Creek, and the Big Thompson River. Maintaining suitable flows - more than just <br />minimum. base flows - is important for these valuable environmental and recreational <br />resources 4 <br />