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Program"). Since CWCB is the only entity authorized by statute to hold instream flow water rights, the Stream and Lake Protection Section will need to coordinate and collaborate with IBCC Roundtables to implement specific recommendations developed by the ongoing Basin non- consumptive needs assessments, whether for new appropriations or acquisitions of water for instream flows. Staff anticipates an increase in ISF Program activities related to implementation of the Basin non-consumptive needs assessments. As part of this implementation, staff will need to review raw data, evaluate methodologies and perform water availability analyses to enable CWCB to make its necessary determinations regarding the existence of a natural environment; water available for appropriation; and no material injury to water rights. Section staff also will participate in a statewide initiative to identify high priority watersheds and streams for expanded, focused efforts to acquire water for instream flows in partnership with the CDOW, conservation groups, local land trusts, and other partners. This effort will build upon the information developed by the Basin non- consumptive needs assessments and develop initial plans for water acquisitions in specified locations based upon key values of interest such as native aquatic species and recreational fisheries. This effort will include outreach to important stakeholders during the process to "ground-truth" the ideas that emerge from the technical analysis, with the goal of building effective local programs to generate more water transactions, in partnership with CWCB. The funding requested through this grant application will enable staff to assist the Roundtables and its other partners in implementing identified non-consumptive projects that can be achieved through CWCB's ISF Program. Water Planning Relationship: This project will be an integral part of implementing the Basin non-consumptive needs assessments and assisting in local water planning that includes preserving, protecting and restoring the state's streams and lakes in concert with meeting the state's consumptive water needs. Coordinating with local stakeholders to acquire water to meet the non-consumptive needs will further assist with local water planning. Recommendation: Staff gives a high recommendation to funding for this project because of its importance to local water planning efforts related to preserving, protecting and restoring stream flows and meeting identified non-consumptive needs. 3. Dolores River Dialogue Beneficiary/Grantee/Contractor: Dolores Water Conservancy District, CWCB, and other stakeholders Amount of Request: $100,000 Ranking: High Products Produced: The Dolores River Dialogue (DRD) is a collaborative group of conservation, water management, land management, recreational and governmental representatives working since January 2004 to explore opportunities to manage McPhee Reservoir to improve downstream ecological conditions while honoring water rights and protecting agricultural and municipal water supplies and the continued enjoyment of rafting and fishing. This project consists of a study of the effects of various flow regimes in the lower Dolores River on aquatic and riparian habitat, as well as the effects of these flows on the river's geomorphology. The study will be conducted on a five mile reach of the Dolores River in Dolores County where the Dolores River intersects Big Gypsum Valley, approximately 6 miles NNE of Slick Rock. The Big Gypsum field site is being used to evaluate the ecological response of the Dolores River to various flow, spill management and restoration opportunities resulting from a combination of weather conditions, water management decisions and restoration experiments. The study will include an evaluation of how discharges from McPhee Reservoir can be manipulated to promote seed deposition and seedling recruitment along the Big Gypsum Valley. Research presented by Merritt and Wohl (2002) has shown that patterns of seed 10