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SeEtta Moss 725 Frankie Lane Canon City, CO 81212 July 17, 2009 Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203 Ref: Instream Flow Rights on Cucharas Creek and Huerfano River Water Division Number 2 Dear Board Members, I am requesting Contested Hearing Participant status for the contested Cucharas Creek and Huerfano River Instream Flow Rights. I am the conservation chairperson for the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, the local chapter of the National Aud ubon Society, that represents southern Colorado including the area in which Cucharas Creek and Huerfano River are located. Our mission is to promote the conservation of nature through education, political action and field activities. Our focus is on bird s, other wildlife, and their habitat in Southern Colorado. Low stream flow is a serious threat to the health not only of the stream ecosystem but the adjacent riparian area. Vertebrates including amphibians and birds use stream and riparian habitats. I n fact more than 80% of birds in Colorado use riparian areas at some time in their life cycle. Thus an adequate stream flow is vital for birds, a number of amphibians as well as fish. Arkansas Valley Audubon Society is supportive of the Colorado Water Co nservation Board's Instream Flow and Natural Lake Level Program in it's efforts to preserve and improve the natural environment. In this proceeding, the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society intends to support proposed Instream Flow Allocation for Cucharas Cree k and the Huerfano River. Additionally, I serve as the chairperson for the Arkansas Basin Roundtable's Non - consumptive Needs Assessment Committee. That Committee has agreed to support the proposed Instream flow Allocation for Cucharas Creek and the Hue rfano River. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, SeEtta Moss, M.S. Conservation Chairperson - Arkansas Valley Audubon Society Non - consumptive Needs Assessment Committee Chairperson Arkansas Basin Roundtable