Rio Grande - Rio Grande Initiative_Application_2008

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area, and recreation including wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, and boating) clearly cannot be solved by any single activity. However, keeping land and water intact along the river corridor is a fundamental part of the overall solution. The Rio Grande Initiative addresses many of these vital issues in a proactive, voluntary, incentive-based manner. Landowners are offered the opportunity to receive partial payment for permanently restricting their property from subdivision and permanently tying their water rights to the land. By securing the land and water in this way, the land and water are permanently available for agriculture, wildlife, and recreation and continue to provide the key functions of floodplain, wetlands, critical wildlife habitat-as well as the scenic qualities that enhance the quality of life and attract visitors to the region (also an important element of our local economy.) The alternative, i.e. the permanent drying up of river corridor lands, would be irreversibly detrimental to all of these important functions-thus the Rio Grande Basin Round Table members and many others are strongly supporting this application. Privacy of Landowners during on-going negotiations: Please note that in order to protect the privacy of the landowners and on-going negotiations regarding the purchase of conservation easements, this application does not specify individual parcels or the amount of funds that would be applied to them. This consideration was discussed in advance of this application with CWCB staff and we are presenting the budget without landowner names. Due Diligence and Acknowledgement: Please note that all transactions will be done in accordance with the due diligence requirements of GOCO, the CDOW and/or any other state and/or federal funding agencies contributing to the purchase. Also, the WSRA funding will receive full acknowledgement for its financial contribution upon completion. Benefits and Beneficiaries: The multiple benefits and importance of land and water conservation are illustrated by the broad based support for the Rio Grande Initiative, from local governments to water districts, to agricultural districts and agencies, to wildlife agencies and conservation organizations, and more. The breadth of support emphasizes the importance of the Rio Grande corridor to all of our communities and residents and indicates that keeping the river intact is of utmost importance to people from many perspectives and interests. The beneficiaries of protecting Colorado's Rio Grande corridor include: . The counties of Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa and Conejos and the communities within them (Creede, South Fork, Del Norte, Monte Vista, and Alamosa) along the river which will have preserved scenic viewsheds, protected floodplains, fewer risks to water quality, and the economic benefits oftourism and recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, boating and bird watching. . Area residents, including multi-generational farmers and ranchers and the broader SL V community who depend upon historic water use patterns for their livelihood and the role of the river in restoring the San Luis Valley's currently threatened aquifer. . The many visitors who travel along U.S. Highway 160 and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway on U.S. Highway 149 and who will continue to enjoy the spectacular open vistas along the river's scenic viewshed. . The abundant wildlife, including elk and deer, trout in the river's Gold Medal fisheries, migratory waterfowl and numerous other bird species (including one species listed under the Endangered Species Act, one recently de-listed species and one candidate species) which depend upon the riparian corridor and its wetlands. Page 15 of 32 Rio Grande Initiative Janual'Y 2008