Southwest - La Plata West Rural Domestic Water Supply_Basin Application

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j) The water activity oromotes water conservation and efficiency The project will provide means of utilizing a new water supply (the ALP reservoir) to several vested interests. The system will be engineered and operated as efficient as possible or order to conserve water and reduce costs. For example, service will be provided at an escalating price schedule to encourage conservation. k) The aoolicant has an existina water conservation olan. The Fort Lewis Mesa District Land Use Plan, which encompasses the portion of La Plata County that will be served by the water supply system, addresses the need for conservation and careful water management to meet the growing needs of the region. The water supply system will bring a needed resource to the region and will comply with all standards set forth in the Land Use Plan. I) The water activity will make new water available for use. The ALP is creating a new reservoir and water source for the area while satisfying the water rights of the tribal users, per the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments passed in 2000. This project proposes to develop this new water supply source that has been allocated for municipal and industrial uses according to the interest of the invested parties. m) The water activity involves reooeration, enlaraement, or rehabilitation of existina facilities. The water supply structure will be based within the ALP infrastructure, including either the outlet works or the reservoir, as well as potentially roads, electricity, and contiguous BOR land. Although a new backbone infrastructure must be constructed for the water supply system, it will serve several different users. The Water Activitv Addresses Issues of Statewide Value n) The water activity helos sustain aariculture, and ooen so ace, or meets environmental or recreational needs. Because the water supply system will decrease competition for limited water resources in the La Plata River basin, it will reduce stress on the agriculture irrigation in the area. The return flows from the imported water will also benefit the shallow groundwater table that contributes to the health of the La Plata River ecosystem. 0) The water activity assists in the administration of comoact-entitled waters or addresses oroblems related to comoact entitled waters and comoact comoliance and the dearee to which the activity oromotes maximum utilization of state waters. The requirements of the La Plata River Compact are challenging for water users in Colorado. The imported domestic water supply will decrease the demands on area groundwater and springs while generating return flows that will benefit the system. Therefore, it is anticipated that the rural domestic water supply system will assist indirectly in meeting La Plata River Compact requirements. p) The water activity assists in the recovery of threatened and endanaered wildlife soecies or Colorado state soecies of concern. The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), a threatened and endangered species, was observed within the project area during a 1997 survey, which provides suitable habitat for the species. However, a 2003 survey found the species to be absent from the area.