Colorado - Battlement Reservoir #3_Water Activity Summary (USFS)

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increase the recreational opportunity and use by anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The increased storage of water will help recharge the aquifers that the Towns of Parachute and Battlement Mesa depend on for their water supply, which originates from springs below the White River National Forest. Discussion: Staff supports projects in the Colorado River Basin that provide habitat for the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (Oricor17j)nchus clarkii pleur•iticus), a State Species of Special Concern. The applicant's goals include improving watershed conditions, improving lake and stream habitat, securing reintroduction sites for CRC trout, maintaining sources of genetically pure CRC trout, and stocking sites with genetically pure CRC trout. Staff supports these goals. Issues/Additional Needs: The applicant does not discuss the water rights in question in great detail. The water rights were originally decreed for irrigation. The applicant acquired the water rights in 2004; however, they do not discuss a change of use from irrigation to recreation and fish & wildlife habitat. The applicant intends to expand the reservoir by an additional 6 acre feet. There is no discussion of new water rights required to fill the expanded storage space. Staff requests additional information on the water rights in question. Staff also requests documentation that the Colorado Division of Water Resources supports the new use of the water rights. Staff supports the goals of the project; however, time has not allowed for a detailed discussion between staff and the applicant. Further discussion is necessary to determine specific benefits to the watershed and wildlife habitat downstream of the reservoir complex. The match funding for the project has yet to be secured through a CDOW Fishing is Fun grant. The $80,000 WSRA funding should be contingent upon approval of the Fishing is Fun grant. Staff Recommendation: The application is well prepared and the proposed project furthers the Colorado River Basin Roundtable's needs assessment. Staff recommends approval of up to $80,000 from the Colorado River Basin Account to help fund the Battlement Reservoir Dam Reconstruction project contingent on resolution of the items in the issues/additional needs section. All products, data and information developed as a result of this grant must be provided to CWCB in hard copy and electronic format as part of the project documentation. This information will in turn be made widely available to Basin Roundtables and the general public and will help promote the development of a common technical platform. 2