Recovery Agreements in CO and PRRIP

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STATE OF COLORADO Colorado Water Conservation Board Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colurado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3441 FAX: (303) 866-4474 www. cwcb. s ta te. co. us Bill Ritter, Jr. May 14, 2007 Governor Harris D. Sherman Executive Director Mr. Kent Crowder Rod Kuharich Jackson Cowrty Water Conservancy District CWCB Director Jackson County Dan McAuliffe PO BOX 1019 Deputy Director VValden, CO 80480 Dear Kent: We are attaching a letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), wherein the Service states: Platte Recovery Agreements only present an "additional and unneeded procedural step for the water users, State, SPWRAP coordinator, and the Service." They further state: "whether water users in the North Platte River basin in Colorado must join SPWRAP is an internal matter within Colorado and not a decision to be made by the Service." As you know we have discussed this matter numerous times, and the Jackson County water depletions plan is one based mainly on existing depletions with limits primarily related to irrigated acres and population within Jackson County. Due to the nature of Jackson County's depletions plan, plus commitments made to the Jackson County water users during the negotiations of the Platte River Recovery Program (Program), and because the Jackson County Water Conservancy District has voluntarily agreed to join SPWRAP, we will represent that water users within Jackson County are not required to join SPWRAP or sign recovery agreements for existing depletions that are covered under the North Platte depletions plan during the first increment of the Program. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact either of us. We are sincerely, . Ted Kowalski Kevin Urie Program Manager, CWCB Interim Executive Director, SPWRAP Flood Protection • Water Suppiy Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection • Conservation and Drought Planning