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In a letter to Gary Buffington, director of Larimer County Natural Resources, R.P. Van Gytenbeek, FFF chief executive officer, wrote, "The Federation of Fly Fishers is appalled that your department would seek to sell off public access in the Big Thompson Canyon without full public disclosure and consultation with user groups." Van Gytenbeek proposed formation of a user group that might include representatives of the Division of Wildlife, FFF, Trout Unlimited and local fly shops. He said adverse Larimer County action won't influence the impending move, but that FFF felt it had to do the right thing by the river. At issue are some 150 plots purchased by the federal government and earmarked for public access in the wake of the catastrophic 1976 flood and accrued to Larimer Parks and Open Lands. Most have languished in obscurity, but the list includes numerous unmarked areas accessed for years by anglers at pullouts from U.S. 36. Other parcels have little or no public value or access. (Source: Denver Post) HIGH LINE AURORA DEAL WON'T BLOCK OTHER LEASES -Shareholders on the High Line Canal would not be restricted from leasing to water users other than Aurora under an agreement signed in January, the canal's superintendent said. The agreement gives Aurora the opportunity to find water from willing shareholders in three out of ten years, but does not obligate shareholders to lease to Aurora or prevent them from leasing to anyone else. No water was leased or prices set in the agreement. The agreement would also not preclude any shareholder from leasing water through another plan, such as the Super Ditch being promoted by the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District. The agreement protects Aurora's ability to exchange up to 500 acre-feet through a 2005 water court filing, but does not limit other shareholders from exchanging above that amount, if there is opportunity. An exchange allows upstream diversion for downstream releases and certain river conditions have to be met to avoid injuring intervening water rights. Aurora most likely would use the exchanges to move water to Twin Lakes, where it pumps it into the South Platte Basin, during drought recovery years. Any lease to Aurora would be a one-time sale of water that does not change water rights. Under a 2003 agreement with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Aurora is limited to leasing water three years out of 10. Under the 2003 bylaw change, the board does have final say in all water movement, which would be necessary for any lease. The shareholders on the ditch who do not lease water are also provided protection under the High Line's rules. Aurora also provides reciprocal services to the High Line under the agreement, continuing a relationship with the board that benefits shareholders. ~ 21 ~~~ ~l