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STATE OF COLORADO Colorado Water Conservation Board Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303} 866-3441 Fax: (303) 8b6-4474 wti+'w'.cwcb.statc.co. us TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members FROM: Ted Kowalski, Program Manager Water Supply Protection Section DATE: November 5, 2007 SLB3ECT: Agenda Item 18f, November 14-15, 2007 Board Meeting Water Supply Planning and Finance - Referred Non-Reimbursable Investments Bill Ritter, Jr Governor Hams D. Sherman DNR Executive Director Dan McAuliffe Acting CWCB Director Background The Kremmling and Glenwood Springs BLM field offices are currently rewriting their Resource Management Plans and, as part of that process, evaluating whether certain "eligible" streams (under the wild and scenic rivers act) are "suitable" for wild and scenic designation. The Little Snake BLM field office is currently further along in this same process. In addition, the Forest Service, Park Service and other BLM offices are at different stages of a similar process. 'T'hese project funds would be used to explore alternatives to "wild and scenic designation," and also explore alternatives that would fall within the "wild and scenic" designation process. Recently, the Colorado River Water Conservation District, the Northern Colorado Water Conservation District, Denver Water, Trout Unlimited and others have initiated a process to explore resource management alternatives. The CWCB is participating in this process. Discussion This matter is of great importance to the State. The CWCB has competing roles with regard to this project--protection of the non-consumptive resources values and protection of the State's ability to fully use its compact entitlements. Wild and scenic designation could affect the State's ability to fully use its compact entitlements, but it may be an effective tool, especially in combination with other tools, to protect certain water dependent resources. These project funds could provide benefits to people and organizations within the Colorado River basin, the South Platte River basin the Yampa River basin, and perhaps other river basins. This project will be used in combination with the non-consumptive needs assessments being conducted by the roundtables and through the IBCC and 1177 process. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends the Board request that the General Assembly authorize up to $200,000 from the Construction Fund to be appropriated to the CWCB for the wild and scenic project. CWCB staff will be available to answer questions about this proposal. Water Supply Protection • Flood Protection • Stream & bake Protection • Water Supply Planning & Finance Water Conservation & Drought Planning • Intrastate Water hllanagement Rc nPVVlnnmanr