Colorado - Grand County Stream Flow Mgmt Plan Phase III_Water Activity Summary

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nonconsumptive water supply needs assessment, conduct an analysis of available unappropriated waters within the basin, and propose projects or methods, both structural and nonstructural, for meeting those needs and utilizing those unappropriated waters where appropriate…..”. Issues/Additional Needs: ? Please clarify the overall purpose of the grant. The application states it is to assist with a basin non- consumptive needs assessment. In the scope it states there are three purposes: perform stream assessments; conduct analysis of stream restoration, and evaluate alternative flow operations. While the first two purposes appear consistent with the basin non-consumptive needs assessments. The later purpose raises some questions regarding potential impacts to water rights and/or contracts, intergovernmental agreements, or any other similar documents related to the allocation of water. There is also a statement on Page 4 of the application under 2.1 that is a little unclear. In this section, the evaluation of potential Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 404 requirements for potential river restoration activities appears to be a prudent element to evaluate in the scope of work. The later part of that sentence however should be clarified. What nexus is the applicant drawing between the possible flow regime alteration of the two firming projects and the possible regulation under Section 404 of the CWA and how does this grant application/project relate to the points raised by the applicant? ? There is no Task that includes coordination with a broad range of stakeholders. On Page 5 of the application it mentions coordination with water providers. This statement needs to be further detailed and included in the scope of work as this is a significant task and level of effort. Since this project is connected to completing a needs assessment for the Colorado Basin Roundtable it is imperative that the applicant address how the tasks in Phase III scope of work conform with Section 37-75 -104 (2)(c). Specifically the applicant needs to address the bolded section of the following excerpt from the statute: “ Using data and information from the Statewide Water Supply Initiative and other appropriate sources and in cooperation with the on-going Statewide Water Supply Initiative, develop a basin-wide consumptive and nonconsumptive water supply needs assessment, conduct an analysis of available unappropriated waters within the basin, and propose projects or methods, both structural and nonstructural, for meeting those needs and utilizing those unappropriated waters where Basin Roundtables shall actively seek the input and advice of affected local appropriate. governments, water providers, and other interested stakeholders and persons in establishing its needs assessment….” ? The current scope of work is not complete and is expected to change. In the introduction to the scope “ of work it states:Note that this Scope of Work and accompanying fee proposal is being prepared in advance of the completion of Phase 2. Thus assumptions have been made and are so noted. It is expected that changes will be required to the scope and fees as data is acquired and reviewed and the project proceeds”. The grant application should be resubmitted with a final scope, budget, and schedule. ? The current scope of work needs additional detail regarding 1) the description of the task; 2) the method or procedure that will be followed to accomplish the task; and 3) the specific products or deliverables produced. A few examples are provided below but the entire scope needs to be clarified. For example, please clarify the location of the 80 mile study area and the 20 miles considered for the “master plan”; in Task 3.1 what is the process for agreeing on flow recommendations, what flow releases are contemplated by which water providers, how will reaches with limiting factors be identified and how will limiting factors be determined. For Task 3.22 provide more information on the specific method for transport analysis and provide more information regarding the deliverable. For Task 3.3 what channel habitats are assessed and how, how will you assess estimated loss of vegetation due to flow changes and what are the thresholds/methods for correlating changes and how 7