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excess to flow targets to periods where there are shortages to target flows.l Water re- <br />regulation for the Tamarack Plan will be limited to water that is physically and legally in <br />excess of existing and future water demands in Colorado, i.e. water that would normally flow <br />out of the state. This water will first be diverted for a beneficial use within Colorado; some <br />of the return flows from this diverted water will subsequently reach the river in times of <br />greater benefit to the Platte species. <br />Provide potential benefits addressing two other issues important to the lower South Platte <br />River in Colarado. The higher groundwater levels produced as a result of the managed <br />groundwater recharge for the Program will benefit Colarado's Minnow Species of Concern. <br />Additionally, the Tamarack Plan will put water in the South Platte River at times when it is <br />not needed or cannot be utilized to reduce target flow shortages. This "new" water supply <br />will enhance the effectiveness of augmentation plans and provide water for new uses within <br />Colorado. <br />Reduce pressure toward permanent dry up of agricultural lands along the lower South Platte <br />for the benefit of federally listed species in Nebraska. <br />Encourage development of improved science on the central Platte River through an adaptive <br />management plan and integrated monitoring/research plan designed to test competing <br />hypotheses of the Program's participants concerning species and habitat needs. <br />Commitments and Costs under the Program <br />Colorado's responsibilities under the Program comprise 20% of the total Program budget in <br />cash and cash-equivalent contributions. Colorado is contributing less water (27,000 out of the 130- <br />150,000 annual acre foot shortage reduction) and more money, relative to the other states during the <br />first increment of the Program. During the first increment of the Program, Colorado and its water <br />users will be required to: <br />1. Develop the capability under the Tamarack Plan to provide an average of 10,000 acre feet <br />annually of shortage reduction to FWS target flows by the end of year four of the Program; <br />` The three phases of the Tamarack Plan address (1) Colorado's initial Program water project contribution <br />to reduce shortages by 10,000 acre feet per year on average; (2) operations to mitigate net increased shortages to <br />target flows in the habitat caused by future depletions in Colorado; and (3) production of an additional 17,000 acre <br />feet per year in the South Platte River as part of the Program Water Action Plan commirinent to reduce basin-wide <br />shortages by 130-150,000 acre feet per year. <br />-3-