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Lower San Miguel yVa~er Resource Planning Study Page 21 VIII.A Preliminary Recommendations The SWCD's preliminary recommendations are based in part on the conclusions of this report and on public input gathered through the study process. The SWCD's Preliminary Recommendations are as follows: • The Tabeguache Wells No. 1 and No. 2 and the Uravan Well No. 2 should be conveyed to Montrose County for its' use. While the general use is expected to occur in conjunction with the property the county is in the process of acquiring from Umetco, i.e., Ball Fields and Intrepretive Area, the only condition of use associated with the recommendation is that the water be used within the Lower San Miguel River Basin of Montrose County, in conformance with the intent of the MOU. • The Johnson Ditch water rights should be conveyed to the local governmental entities, who were signatories to the MOU, for their use to meet existing and future lower basin needs. While the Johnson Ditch water rights were initially decreed for 50.55 cfs, water court actions and an extensive history of non-use may have lowered their changeable amounts to 3 to 4 cfs and 500 acre feet, or less, of consumptive use. The expected use is in the lower basin in the vicinity of Nucla and Naturita; however the use may occur anywhere within the Lower San Miguel River Basin of Montrose County pursuant to the intent of the MOU. It is important that the local governmental entities work closely together in the resolution of this matter. To insure as much benefit to the local community and the river as possible, the local governmental entities should explore the opportunity of loaning or leasing to the CWCB the changed consumptive use portion of the Johnson Ditch direct flow rights through the CWCB Water Acquisition Program (H.B. 1280 provisions). This would help insure the pre-1922 Colorado River Compact protections are maintained while allowing multiple uses to occur. • The Mineral Camp Well, Uravan Well No. l and the Eula Belle Mine Well should be relinquished to the stream. The Mineral Camp Well (0.055 cfs) is located on Atkinson Creek downstream from the old town site of Uravan is no longer in use and was apparently destroyed in remediation activities. The Uravan Well No. 1 (0.290 cfs) was physically obliterated during remediation activities and no longer exists. The Eula Belle Mine Well (0.031 cfs), located in a remote location on Mesa Creek, tributary to the Dolores River, was also destroyed during remediation activities. Furthermore, these wells carry relative junior priority dates with appropriation dates in 1958, 1959, and 1961 respectively, and adjudication dates in 1971; also, the amounts for which they are decreed are small. ~Iuly 2008