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2.002
<br />Nearing Tuesd, _in - re creation
<br />Y
<br />water ri ht a � lip icati on
<br />CWCB reviews RICD` plan, welcoming public input
<br />Chris Dickey
<br />purpose of supporting this recre-
<br />A number of individuals and
<br />ational amenity. Like any other
<br />entities have filed objections to
<br />Even though construction of
<br />'water right,: the RICD would -have
<br />the Upper Gunnison's applica-
<br />the project is currently stalled,
<br />an appropriation date and be sub -
<br />_ tion. Among those include the
<br />plans, to obtain a water right for
<br />ject to "calls" from senior users in
<br />Colorado River Water Conser-
<br />the long - awaited. Gunnison River
<br />times of drought, like this year.
<br />vancy District, the Uncompahgre
<br />Whitewater Park are progressing.
<br />Conversely, an . RICD water
<br />Valley Water Users Association
<br />In_ -fact, the public has a rare op-
<br />'
<br />right could protect. the whitewa-
<br />and Front Range water developer
<br />portiuitity to voice its opinion to
<br />ter park from being called out by
<br />Dave- lVliller. The Upper Gunni-
<br />the-statewide ageiicy:that reviews
<br />potential future water right - hold -
<br />son and the city of Gunnison and .
<br />such applications next Tuesday.,
<br />, ers, including possible plans to
<br />-Spann 'Ranches have reached
<br />In early April, the Upper- Gun-
<br />' re- direct Upper Gunnison River
<br />agreements, effectively ending
<br />nison River Water, Conservancy
<br />water;for trans -basin dive rsion.
<br />the.opposition from both of those .
<br />District applied fora water right
<br />This, according to UGRWCD Di-
<br />groups, -
<br />that s wouldsupport
<br />rector Kathleen Cuiry is proba-
<br />Still, Curry thinks the RICD
<br />the fledgling whitewater park, to
<br />' bly =the biggest objectiow. .the
<br />faces ail uphill road.
<br />be located just westof Gunnison,
<br />, CWCB is likely to have.
<br />"I'm not very optiinistic that
<br />beginning_ at, the Twin Bridges.
<br />_ - "They're primarily concerned
<br />-the CWCB will react favorably to
<br />This type of water right - called a_
<br />about :.. how this could affect
<br />'. ,any AIC0 application, "; she said:
<br />Recreation In- Channel Diversion.
<br />`. state's ability to develop Aspinal
<br />"Indications are that they have "
<br />is a new conce pt .under Col-
<br />:Unit water for out ; of -basin use,"
<br />f xticla ental concerns;regaxding
<br />orado w ater law ereat ed.recently
<br />she said. ,
<br />these types of water. rights "
<br />by the state Legislature, A stipu-
<br />Curry. insists that creating an-
<br />- T , cally,' the . whitewater
<br />lation to this legislation dictates.'
<br />other layer.- of defense against
<br />. park can be constructed with or
<br />that.before-the. case goes before
<br />possible trans -basin diversion
<br />without "a right. Nonetheless,
<br />water cotirt, the Colorado Water
<br />schemes was- the ob-
<br />proponents -feel the additional se-
<br />Conservation Board, must review.
<br />; jective wheri�piiing for the RICD.
<br />curity can-pay ,big dividends to
<br />the matter and make its recom-
<br />he said, theboard was
<br />the long -term sustainability of
<br />mendation known. ':
<br />_,Instead;
<br />responding to,rihe' recreational
<br />recreation on the Gunnison
<br />That's where the public comes .
<br />-- users it serves.
<br />,
<br />River,
<br />ui The a statewide water
<br />"The board was focused on try-
<br />"(An RICb) .may not make a
<br />policy and review board, meets to '
<br />- - ing to do something positive for
<br />l ig difference right now," coin -
<br />Gunnison Tuesday for an all -day
<br />recreational water use," she said.
<br />mented Three River Resort owner
<br />hearing on the Upper Gunnison's
<br />"They responded to -a regtiesi',by
<br />Mark, Schumacher, "but as the
<br />RICD proposal. The board will be
<br />the paddling -community- to ob-
<br />basin gets tighter it will in the fu-
<br />taking public comment from 4.55
<br />tain a right for the park."
<br />- -tune: It's .a small a . untof water
<br />to 525 p.m The meeting will be
<br />Such "rights are rare. In fact, ac-
<br />compared to what normally flows
<br />held in : the Aspinall Wilson
<br />cording to Cindy Covell., the -spe-
<br />through there. But there are times
<br />Building.
<br />- eial attorney the UGRWCD has
<br />when it could be called out by fu-
<br />Applyft the waver right is
<br />hired to spearhead the RICD pro-
<br />ture junior appropriators. '
<br />basically aii ; . tkemf t i y the UGR-
<br />posal, the city of Pueblo is the
<br />(See related story below about'
<br />WCD to .help ensure the 'long- ;
<br />term viabiity
<br />only other entity to apply for one..
<br />the county's progress in getting con -
<br />of the whitewater:
<br />That application recently re-
<br />struction of the whitewater park
<br />park by making a Jegal claim to
<br />ceived a mixed review`from the
<br />back on track.) `
<br />,keeping. a certain amount of
<br />CWCB : and now stands before
<br />water. in the river for the express ;
<br />- water court;
<br />
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