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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant Application Form <br />Fonn Revised May 2007 <br />Although DU goals are measured in acres conserved, the pivotal ingredient is water. By <br />definition, wetlands depend on water, which is seasonally scarce in Colorado and the rest of the and <br />west. DU must strengthen water rights to existing wetlands and purchase new water rights to ensure our <br />investments in wetland conservation do not dry up due to water extractions, diversions, or consumptions. <br />DU's Colorado Conservation Plan bridges the gap between traditional water users and the conservation <br />community by pro-actively developing wetland restoration and protection projects that benefit both <br />interests. Unless sufficient water is secured for maintaining viable populations of waterfowl over the next <br />decade, staggering wetland losses could occur as the price of water continues to escalate. DU has been <br />successfiil in acquiring water rights for use on state-owned lands. DU is also one of the only land trusts <br />in Colorado that requires conservation easement donors donate water rights to the easement, thereby <br />securing them in perpetuity. Ensuring that restoration projects comply with all applicable state water <br />laws and that these projects make the most efficient use of water is imperative to a successfill and long- <br />term program. <br />DU's objectives for the SPR focus on protection, restoration, and management of the public and <br />private wetlands and associated uplands in this critical wetlands corridor. Although the corridor <br />encompasses 425,310 acres it includes 71,000 acres of wetlands, 66% of which have been lost. <br />The water activity will make new water available for use: <br />This application will make new water available, through use unallocated water during winter <br />months in the Ovid area of Colorado. Review of water availability conducted as part of the Heyborne <br />Recharge project effectively demonstrated that a free river condition exists in the Ovid area from October <br />15t' through April 1st or longer depending on the year. New water will be available in the Weldona area, <br />but at a much reduced level from 5-30 days. . <br />The water activity involves reoperation, enlargement, or rehabilitation of existing facilities: <br />Not Applicable <br />The Water Activity Addresses Issues of Statewide Value <br />The water activity helps sustain agriculture, and open space, or meets environmental or <br />recreational needs: <br />The activity will sustain agricultural, open, space, environmental, and recreational needs as <br />described above. <br />The water activity assists in the administration of compact-entitled waters or addresses problems <br />related to compact entitled waters and compact compliance and the degree to which the activity <br />promotes maximum utilization of state waters: <br />12