Rio Grande - Rio Grande Initiative_Application_2008

• Basin Roundtable: Rio Grande
• Applicant: Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust
• Description: Rio Grande Initiative
• Account Source: Basin & Statewide
• Board Meeting Date: 3/19/2008
• Contract/PO #: 150420
• WSRA - Doc Type: Grant Application

As identified above, RiGHT is the applicant and is collaborating with the SL V WF AC, DU and TNC for
the direct implementation of the Rio Grande Initiative, from the strategic planning through completion of
conservation transactions and the long term monitoring and stewardship of these easements. Through
their portion of the GOCO Legacy Grant, the CDOW is directly partnering on two parcels that are of
prime importance to them, in the reach between Monte Vista and Alamosa.

At the same time, a project ofthis landscape-scale is only possible through broad based participation and
diverse support in the local community, and beyond. In addition to the support of Rio Grande Basin
Round Table and allocation of $200,000 of Basin funds toward this application, the project has garnered
support from both traditional consumptive water interests (including matching funds from the Rio Grande
Water Conservation District, and support from all major water districts, water users organizations, and the
CDWR) and nonconsumptive interests (such as the CDOW, USFWS, USFS, BLM, NRCS and others), all
of whom see the importance and effectiveness of this contribution to addressing our intrabasin needs.

Note: Given the over-appropriated nature of the waters of the Rio Grande and the obligations ofthe Rio
Grande Compact, the issue of interbasin needs is not applicable to this proposal.

The extensive support for this project is demonstrated by the supporting votes of all four Boards of
County Commissioners in the project area and support and participation from the following local, state
and federal governmental entities, districts and agencies, as well as local, state and national conservation
organizations:

Mineral County*
Rio Grande County*
Alamosa County *
Conejos County*
Rio Grande Water Conservation District*
Rio Grande Basin Roundtable*
Colorado State Land Office*
Colorado Division of Wildlife *
Colorado Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration
Foundation*
SL V Water Conservancy District*
Division Engineer, Division 3, CDWR *
SL V Watershed Association of Conservation
Districts *
Rio Grande Water Users Association*

Natural Resources Conservation Service*

USFWS- Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge*
SLY Chapter of Trout Unlimited*
Conejos Chapter of the National Wild Turkey
Federation *
Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust
Trust for Public Land
The Conservation Fund
San Luis Valley National Heritage Area
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project
CSU Extension Service
U.S. Forest Service*
Bureau of Land Management*
Silver Thread Scenic Byway*
State Senator Gail Schwartz*
Representative Rafael Gallegos*

* Letter of Support attached

The diversity of funding sources depicted in the attached draft budget also shows the breadth of support
from both traditional consumptive water interests and nonconsumptive interests.

Keeping land and water intact addresses both consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs:
Issues facing consumptive water uses (including the sustainability of the SL V's aquifer and traditional
agriculture-as well as public safety and flood plain function) and nonconsumptive uses (wetlands and
riparian corridor health, wildlife habitat for endangered species and essentially all wildlife in our arid

Rio Grande Initiative

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Janual'Y 2008