Rio Grande - Rio Grande Initiative_Application_2008

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Processes would result in even greater impacts to irrigated agriculture and the economies dependent upon them." While the applicants and members of the Rio Grande Basin Round Table are fully cognizant of the larger picture of agriculture in the SL V, and the need to reduce irrigated agricultural acres in order to restore and sustain our aquifers, we recognize that this should not be accomplished by drawing key water resources away from the river system to augment unsustainable ground water pumping (as noted in Table 8-1 and addressed in Section 8.3.1). Keeping the river "whole", i.e. sustaining the corridor's long-lived agricultural lands, its important riparian wetlands and wildlife habitat, and its recreational attributes, is vital to our community's economy and future. Restoring the aquifer should not be accomplished at the expense of the river corridor health and function. Rather, as the Rio Grande Initiative aims to do, protecting as much of the river's attributes as possible now, while we have the chance, will continue to serve many beneficiaries for the very long term. In Table 8-8 CDOW Statewide and Western Slope Water Management Options, the "Return Flow Mitigation Project" is directly addressed by the Rio Grande Initiative. The Table describes this as: "Recognition of connectivity between irrigated agriculture and late-season baseflow and water temperatures. Ensure that changes to agricultural practices (e.g. sprinklers of type-conversions) do not significantly impair or reduce these benefits." The Rio Grande Initiative will help to sustain traditional agricultural diversions along the Rio Grande and thus ensure the late-season benefits identified above, as well as the significant wildlife benefits that these flows provide. Section 10: Evaluation Framework The Rio Grande Initiative meets numerous objectives identified in Table 10-1 SWSI Water Management Objectives and Performance Measures including: #2. Sustainably meeting agricultural demand when and where needed. #3. Optimizes Existing Water Supplies by sustaining traditional uses that also provide critical environmental benefits (for endangered species and all wildlife) and valued recreational uses (including fishing, bird watching, waterfowl and other hunting, boating). #4. Enhance Recreational Opportunities by both providing water for recreation when and where needed and encouraging cooperative multiple recreational and wildlife opportunities. #5. Provide for Environmental Enhancement by providing adequate water for the environment where and where it is needed, avoid/mitigate environmental impacts of new project, and protect and improve water quality (a function naturally performed by wetlands). #6. Promote Cost Effectiveness by allocating cost among various beneficiaries and providing for fund eligibility through the partnership of non-profit conservation organizations. #7. Protect Cultural Values by maintaining the quality oflife unique to the Rio Grande Basin and maintaining strategically important open space and scenic beauty (note that the highway along the Rio Grande corridor from South Fork upstream is a registered National Scenic Byway, the Silver Thread- see attached letter of support.) #9. Comply with all Applicable Laws, Regulations and Water Rights. As Figure lOA.1 on Basin Roundtable Member's Individual Preferences depicts, the Rio Grande participants in SWSI prioritized #2, #3 and #5 from the above list as the top three priorities. The Rio Grande Initiative addresses all three of these priorities, as well as many others, directly. 5. For Applications that include a request for funds from the Statewide Account, describe how the water activity meets the Evaluation Criteria. See Part 3 of Criteria and Guidelines. Page 12 of 32 Rio Grande Initiative Janual'Y 2008