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<br />Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />Conceming The Application for Water Rights of the Upper <br />Gunnison River VJater Conservancy District, <br />In the Gunnison River ' <br />In Gunnison Coun <br /> Case Number: <br /> 402CW038 <br />PREHEARING STATEMENT OF THE UPPER GUNNISON RNER WATER <br />CONSERVANCY DISTRICT <br />Applicant, Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District ("District"), <br />subnuts the. following preheazing statement pursuant to Rule 13(d), Reereational In- <br />Channel Diversion Rules of the Colozado Water Conservation Board ("CWCB") and the <br />Notice of Prehearing Conference and Deadlines dated June 11, 20021. <br />1. Background <br />In 1998, Gunnison County Manager John DeVore met with persons interested in <br />developing a whitewater park on the GuYmison River adjacent to the County's water <br />treatment plant, to discuss the County's willingness to spearhead development of a <br />professionally-designed and constructed whitewateT park. The Gunnison Whitewater <br />Park was expected to be an • important part of the County's overall plan to develop <br />outdoor recreation amenities within the County, and would be integrated into its trail <br />system. From the begiruv.ng, Gunnison County and the District worked cooperatively to <br />develop this project, with the District assuming responsibility for obtaini.ng the necessary <br />water rights. As a water conservancy district organized pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-45-101 et <br />seq. (2001), the District has typically been responsible for acquiring and defending water <br />rights for the benefit of its constituents. The District also has a long-held policy of <br />improving water supplies for recreational purposes. (Testimony of John DeVore and <br />Kathleen Curry.)2 <br />An advisory committee was appointed to develop further information regarding <br />the whitewater park, and a public meeting was held OctobeT 20, 1998. Following <br />favorable cominunity input from that meeting, Gary Lacy, an experienced whitewater <br />course designer, was employed to design the boating course. The design was cornpleted <br />1 By its participation in the CWCB process provided for by S.B. 216, the District does not waive its right to <br />challenge the constitutionality of S.B. 216, or other matters relating to said statute, or to challenge the RICD <br />rules, including whether any of them are beyond the scope of the CWCB's authority granted pursuant to <br />C.R.S.§ 37-92-102(6)(b) (200I). 2 This Prehearing 5tatement identifies witnesses who aze expected to testify to the statements made. Other <br />witnesses may also testify regarding such matters and related matters. <br />; EXHIB{T <br />.? <br />V ' <br />? <br />1 State's <br />ExhiUit ?