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two project proponents and Grand County to negotiate on possible solutions in a collaborative manner while <br />recognizing the need to promote maximum utilization of state waters. <br />The specific tasks associated with Phase 3 include: <br />• Analyzing coordinated flow releases <br />• Conducting stream assessments <br />• Conducting aquatic habitats assessments <br />• Preparing a restoration master plan <br />Threshold Criteria <br />#1 -Eligibility -Grand County is an eligible entity and received a recommendation for approval by the <br />Colorado River Basin Roundtable. <br />#2 -Water Rights Protection <br />The first issue surrounding the original application submittal for this project was centered on meeting this <br />threshold criterion. The applicant has revised their approach and indicate the following: <br />The SMP is intended to evaluate water needs within the conteit of Colorado ~yater law and Federal regulations <br />governing ~~, ater development. The goal of Phase 3 of the SMP is to perform strewn assessments and analysis <br />for restoration opportunities and the development of a master plan for implementing restoration projects along <br />the Fraser and the Upper Colorado River. This phase ~yill also include continued coordination on development <br />of alternative floe- operations that might help achieve recommended floe s developed in Phase 2. Grand <br />County intends to use the SMP to «orlc «ith ~~ ater providers to identify- opportunities for operational changes <br />~yhich could enhance strewn health. Neither of the proposed activities violates any of the rights protections <br />outlined in section 37-7~-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. <br />Grand Count- hopes that the information generated in Phase 3 of the SMP and the Plan overall will be a <br />valuable tool, based in science and the best available predictive tools, for negotiations with all water providers. <br />The plan is intended to help all parties understand where coordinated operations could be beneficial along with <br />identification of stream reaches ~~-here channelization, enhancement. or reconfiguration could be a solution. <br />Because the issues that «e face are both seasonal and site specific, amulti-faceted approach has ahyays been <br />envisioned. Grand Count<-. Denver Water, and Northern Water Conservancy District ~~-ill cooperate in <br />foimulatilig the eiact scope of ~york for Phase 3. This valuable park~iership ~yill increase the possibility of <br />success of the project. Denver Water and Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District have been provided <br />an oveivie~y of the methodology and data collection in Phase 2, and ho~y it ~~-ill be used to develop the scope of <br />~york for Phase 3. In concept, they agree with the approach and are eicited about the cooperative efforts in <br />formulating Phase 3. <br />Staff believes that Grand County's commitment to "work with water providers to identify opportunities" and <br />its commitment to working with water providers in formulating the final scope of work for Phase 3 meets <br />this threshold criterion. However, this type of coordination requires adequate resources and staff would like <br />to see the final scope of work reflect this (see Issues/Needs below). <br />#3 -Evaluation Process -The application under went the Colorado Basin Roundtable's consideration and <br />approval process and was recommended for funding by a vote of 19-0. <br />2 <br />