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.. SWSI Colorado Basin - Project ID and Demand Analysis Submitted by; Kristine Crandall, Roaring Fork Conservancy February 3, 2004 Project Identification o The Ruedi Reservoir 2012 Agreement is an existing agreement concerning reservoir releases to support the Endangered Fish Recovery Program, and would likely fit in as a Tier 1 "project+" The Environmental Assessment is available online at: http;/lwww.usbr.gov/gp/nepalruedi20 12. pdf.. o The Tamarisk Coalition's initiative may be appropriate to include in the project analysis, as it directly influences water availability in the Colorado Basin (see http://www.tamariskcoalition.orglactivities.html for reference to this project). o RICD filings that are being considered by various Colorado Basin communities should be accounted for within the project identification/analysis (these include Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt, Minturn, and Eagle). Demand Analysis (J With regard to the environmental demand analysis, various data have been previously referenced and submitted to you, including: o Rivers and streams proposed for Wild and Scenic designation within the White River National Forest, o Colorado Water Trust "Identified Potential Conservation Interests" maps (one map with detailed identification of critical stream reaches within the Colorado Basin and another with a compilation of special stream designations from various agencies and organizations), o Flows needed to satisfy wastewater permitting requirements .on specific streams, o The environmental importance of restoring and protecting natural flow processes (see Endangered Fish Recovery Program target flows), o Studies with infonnation on environmental and recreational flows on the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir, o Studies documenting the economic value of angling and boating activities (Fryingpan Valley Economic Study, report on Vail and Breckenridge kayak courses), and o Environmental and recreational stream flow thresholds identified in the UPCO studies. All project alternatives must incorporate this information along with other available environmental/instream flow criteria. If you are missing any of the specific data cited above, please let me know. Q It is key to acknowledge within SWSI that instream flows and natural flow processes support a host of economic values ranging from tourism, scenic values, and recreation activities to ecosystem services (floodplain functions, water quality