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Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />Concerning The Application for Water Rights of the Upper <br />Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, <br />In the Gunnison River <br />In Gunnison County <br />Case Number: <br />4- 02CW038 <br />PREHEARING STATEMENT OF THE UPPER GUNNISON RIVER WATER <br />CONSERVANCY DISTRICT <br />Applicant, Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District ( "District "), <br />submits the following prehearing statement pursuant to Rule 13(d), Recreational In- <br />Channel Diversion Rules of the Colorado Water Conservation Board ( "CWCB ") and the <br />Notice of Prehearing Conference and Deadlines dated June 11, 2002 <br />I. Background <br />In 1998, Gunnison County Manager John DeVore met with persons interested in <br />developing a whitewater park on the Gunnison 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 whitewater 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 beginning, Gunnison County and the District worked cooperatively to <br />develop this project, with the District assuming responsibility for obtaining 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 October 20, 1998. Following <br />favorable community input from that meeting, Gary Lacy, an experienced whitewater <br />course designer, was employed to design the boating course. The design was completed <br />' 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) (2001). <br />2 This Prehearing Statement identifies witnesses who are expected to testify to the statements made. Other <br />witnesses may also testify regarding such matters and related matters. <br />1 <br />