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. Charles Bedford State Director Sincerely. We believe that these are two measured legislative proposals that would yield significant benefits to the CWCB's stream and lake protection program and the water users who work with the CWCB to enhance instream flows in Colorado. The new protections and additional resources would strengthen efforts to preserve our rivers, streams, and natural environment as Colorado makes critical decisions about its water management future. We urge CWCB support for your staff's two legislative proposals at your January meeting. The second proposal would provide $1 million to the CWCB for acquiring water for instream flow use. This funding would provide the CWCB a new tool in its efforts to strengthen or extend instream flow protections in important streams where new appropriations can only meet part of the flow need. It would let water rights holders realize an economic benefit from conveying, loaning, or leasing their water to the CWCB for instream flow use. Further, it would allow the CWCB to leverage additional funding for its stream and lake protection program from private conservation groups (like TNC or the Colorado Water Trust) or other state and federal funding sources. This proposal would be included in the CWCB's annual projects bill. . The first measure would protect water rights that are leased to the CWCB by private water rights holders for the benefit ofinstream flows. Under current law, the water rights holder who enters a long-term lease or loan agreement with the CWCB for instream flow may expose or undermine his or her water right in future water court cases. This legislative proposal would protect water rights holders in two important ways - from the loss of consumptive use or presumption of abandonment - during the period when they've loaned or leased water to the CWCR Removing the negative incentives for water rights holders to work with the CWCB to enhance instream flows will provide a significant boost to the efforts to protect stream flows and lake levels in Colorado. The Nature Conservancy urges your support for two legislative measures that would strengthen Colorado's stream and lake protection program. These measures would provide additional protections and resources to water rights holders who choose to work with the CWCB to enhance instream flows. Your staffwill be presenting these two proposals for your consideration at your January board meeting in Denver. Dear Board Members, Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, CO 80203 . January The Nature f'::1J} Conservancy V Protecting nature. Preserving life'~ 18, 2008 The Nature Conservancy in Colorado 2424 Spruce Street Boulder, CO 80302 tel [303] 444-2950 fax [303] 444-2986 nature.org/colorado 8~ <r~