Recovery Programs Benefit Colorado Water Users Seeking to Obtain Ditch Bill Easements

• Year: 2005
• Title: Recovery Programs Benefit Colorado Water Users Seeking to Obtain Ditch Bill Easements
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Description: Recovery Programs Benefit Colorado Water Users Seeking to Obtain Ditch Bill Easements
• Publications - Doc Type: Press Release

STATE OF COLORADO
Colorado Water Conservation Soard
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
vv~a~a~.cwcb.state. co.us
News Releas e
June 7, 2005
For Immediate Release
News contact: Dena Crist
Phone: [phone]
Bill Owens
Governor
Russell George
Executive Director
Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director
Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director
Recovery Pro6rams Benefit Colorado Water Users 5eekin~ to Obtain Ditch Bill Easements
Endangered Species Recovery Implementation Programs, such as those in the Upper Colorado and
San Juan River Basins, have proven to be a significant benefit to Colorado's water users seeking to
obtain permanent easements on or across federal lands for long established water storage and
conveyance facilities. The Colorado Water Conservation Board has been and continues to be a key
player in the implementation of these recovery programs and in assisting the states water users in
utilizing these recovery programs to help them obtain permanent easements for their facilities.
The recovery programs are designed to recover the endangered species through a variety of means,
including habitat preservation and stocking efforts. Colorado's congressional delegation has played
a significant role in helping to obtain federal dollars to go with state cost share funding to implement
these programs.
Senator Allard has been a leader in helping to provide resolution for ditch bill easements on national
forests for agricultural water users, and is a long term supporter of the Upper Colorado River and
San Juan River recovery programs for endangered fish species. The Colorado Water Conservation
Board is and continues to be a leader in helping to coordinate the efforts of federal, state and local
interests in developing and implementing the recovery programs and helping water users and the
public understand the benefits of these programs to their every day life.
A number of Ditch bill easements have been issued or are under consideration on the White River
National Forest, Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre- Gunnison National Forest, and San Juan National
Forest. Issuance of ditch bill easements is a federal action requiring consultation under the
Endangered Species Act, given the presence of four endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado
and San Juan River basins.
In issuing three recent forest wide biological opinions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has
complied with the Endangered Species Act and abided by procedures established under the Upper
Colorado and San Juan recovery programs. These procedures, consistent with federal regulations and
Flood Protection • Water Supply Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection • Conservation and Drought Planning