Kayak Park Water Rights Study Proposed

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Summit Daily News for Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper and Frisco Colorado - News Kayak park water rights study proposed Critics say the plan is aimed at limiting claims to recreational flows BY_50_B_BERYN sum dail news Summit County, Co Colorado Febr rtr y 6, 200 What's your take? Should the State Legislature fund a $150,000 study to establish some objective criteria for recreational instream flows? Click on the "comment" link above and let us laiow what you think. SUMMIT COUNTY — The issue of recreational water rights for kayak parks and other in- channel uses just won't go away. In the latest twist, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is seeking $150,000 from the state Legislature to study the recreational in- channel diversions, also known as RICDs in shorthand water parlance. Kasey Ankney, in the yellow kayak, and Crystal Young try out a feature in Avon's recently completely whitewater park. At least one group has requested a widespread study on the recreational in- channel diversions many of these parks rely on. Special to the Daily Page 1 of 2 Bro and Buy Su _Daily _Photos The bill is set for a hearing this week, and while critics of the proposed study say taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for a "whitewash" study that won't be subject to rigorous scrutiny, the CWCB's Ted Kowalski said the intent is to try and find ways to establish objective criteria for recreational water uses. At issue once again is the ability of towns like Breckenridge, Silverthome, Golden and Vail to claim river flows for whitewater kayak parks, and how those water rights may affect upstream users. A series of court rulings and state laws during recent years have provided an outline, but perhaps not definitive guidance as to how much water towns can claim — or how much they need — for such facilities. Kowalski, the CWCB's RICD coordinator, hopes if the study is approved, the process will include buy -in from recreational groups and other water users. He said charges that the study is intended to short- circuit existing guidance are unfounded. "I think we could find connnon ground and agree on language ... and get away from looking at these on a case - by -case basis," Kowalski said, adding that the idea is to get a big - picture, policy level look at the issue. Agreeing on some ground rules could save taxpayers money in the long run, by preventing applications for recreational water rights from ending up in a long, drawn -out court battle, as has happened in several cases, notably in Gunnison. "There should be some commonalities we can agree on without arguing each and every one in court," Kowalski said. Additionally, Kowalski said a second part of the study is aimed at taking a look at whether the exercise of some http: / /www.summitdally.com/ apps /pbcs.dll /article? AID= /200702061NEWS/70206007 &tem... 2/9/2007 Click to Enlarge