Rio Grande - 2008 Riparian Stabilization Project - Application

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Supply Reserve Account. The Foundation is combining the contributions of landowners with external technical and funding sources to implement the Project. This results in strong leverage of the funds requested. • This Project therefore demonstrates a creative and proactive funding strategy in which the Foundation's request for SB-179 funding plays a vital and enabling role. • If this proposal is not funded, the Project will not be implemented. Meeting Water Management Goals and Objectives and Identified Water Needs i. The water activity helps complete a needs assessment, including consumptive and/or non- consumptive needs, that was not fully funded from other sources. The Project helps implement the findings of the 2001 Study in which riparian area problems and needs were identified. • The Project's goals are to stabilize stream banks, improve riparian habitat and enhance the fishery by reducing sediment loading and to configure the stream channel to improve the river's natural ability to move sediments through the system. Amulti-faceted approach will be used. Where livestock grazing is involved improved grazing management practices will be implemented. Cottonwood and willows will be allowed to regenerate while improving the understory vegetation. j. The water activity meets one or more of the nine water management objectives of the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI; helps implement projects and processes identified as helping meet Colorado's future water needs, and/or addresses the gap areas between available water supply and future need as identified in the SWSI or the Rio Grande Interbasin Roundtable's basin[wide water needs assessment done in accordance with the Colorado Water for the 21St Century act. • The water activity meets the following water management objectives identified in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI): o It sustainably meets agricultural demands by increasing the ability of irrigators to divert their appropriated water right when they are in priority. . o It provides operational flexibility by reducing the problems of high sediment loading in and near diversion structures, and downstream of the riparian restoration sites. o It provides for multiple non-consumptive uses and environmental needs by improving riparian conditions, repairing river channel problems, reducing sediment load, thereby improving both wildlife habitat and water quality for fisheries. There are potential enhancements to recreational opportunies in the benefits provided to fisheries and related recreational assets. o . o It supports the preservation of the long-term cultural values inherent in this rural area's historical and current agricultural lifestyle. It complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and water rights.