South Platte - Ducks Unlimited Lower SP Water Protection and Wetland Restoration_C150432 Application

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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant Application Form Fonn Revised May 2007 As is outlined in the SWSI objectives for HB-1177, DU brings significant collaboration and partnership to every project we designand will bring a significant amount of match to these projects. In addition to a substantial landowner donation of close to 50% of the easement value on each project, we will bring fiends from Ducks Unlimited, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Doris Duke Foundation, and North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Lease agreements for water have been used on all properties to assure agricultural producers in the property area can produce crops derived directly from the land or leased water and recharge credits on adjacent land. Heyborne Project The Heyborne Project was fielded by the CWCB through SB-179 funds last year. DU and the LSPWCD and SPWRAP along with the landowner have signed most of the required agreements and construction will begin in the early fall of this year. The LSPWCD filed for water rights under their existing augmentation decree and the project is currently authorized to operate under a temporary substitute water supply plan. We now plan to apply for funding to protect the ground surface and water infrastructure in perpetuity. The property, owned by Dr. Heyborne, is about 1,400 acres, however it is separated into two parcels divided by Johnson's Pond owned by the Watchhorns. Parcel 1, the location of new wetlands and slough work, will be placed into a conservation easement to protect about 645 acres. The easement will protect the natural and imporved habitat values including the riverbottom, riparian, warm-water sloughs, newly created wetlands, and adjacent agricultural ground. Fender Project As part of our Revolving Land Strategy, DU purchased this property in fee-title in January of 2008. Adjacent to the Heyborne Project, the Fender property offered substantially unproved soils for development of high-capacity wells to supply water to recharge projects. With over 850 acres and one half mile of the river channel, over 100 acres of irrigated agriculture and 700 acres of sandhill for creation recharge weltands the property lends very well to the mission of DU and the partnerships we have formed. In addition, DU purchased two shares of the South Reservation Ditch, a high priority ditch near the end of the Platte River system in Colorado. With this purchase DU holds a 1/7fl' interest in the ditch compnay and is working with Mr. Kross on the adjacent parcel to place our shares to work for improved wildlife and agricultural resources. We plan to continue using our shares for agricultural production throughout most of the irrigation season, but small seasonal wetlands will be constructed to flood areas for access to waterfowl in the spring and fall. The property will be open to public hunting through a CDOW lease over the next five years. DU is currently negotiating a lease agreement with the CDOW to provide public access for deer, turkey, and waterfowl hunting. Pony Express State Wildlife Area is located near the project site, but does not priovide much seasonal or winter hunting opportunities for waterfowl. Develoment of these ponds will provide that 15