Attention Water Users in the Animas River Valley

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A:ZiV7 Al40 41,e THE SOUTHWESTERN WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT A Municipal District Organized Under State Law For Development And Conservation Of The Waters In The SAN JUAN AND DOLORES RIVERS AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES IN SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO West Building — 841 Second Avenue Post Office Box 475 DURANGO, COLORADO 81302 (970) 247 -1302 • Fax (970) 259 -8423 �� > ATTENTION WATER USERS IN THE ANIMAS RIVER VALLEY '11414 0.0 -a Water users of the Animas River and its tributaries, including but not limited to Lightner, Junction, Elbert and Coon creeks, should review their usage and decrees to determine if the application filed by the City of Durango for recreational in- channel diversion ( "RICD ") water rights may have a negative impact on their usage. Southwestern Water Conservation District ( "SWCD "), charged by statute with promoting the conservative, use and development of water resources in the Animas River valley, encourages water users to ensure their water usage is protected. Durango is seeking a RICD water right to enable it to "call" for water on the Animas River if the amounts that are sought to be decreed exceed the water available in the river. If a "call" is made, the Colorado Division of Water Resources is obligated to users with junior water rights and undecreed water rights to discontinue using water until available amounts meet the RICD decreed amounts. If any user of Animas River water does not have a water court decree authorizing all the uses for which they are using water, including, but not limited to, irrigation, fish ponds and fire protection, they may want to consider options for protecting their historic usage. Those holding commercial well permits should review the impact of the RICD on their permits. Those holding exempt, domestic well permits probably will not be impacted by the RICD. Water users may file a statement of opposition in Case No. 06CW9, where Durango has applied for the RICD, to ensure terms and conditions are placed in the RICD decree which protect their rights. A water user also may file a separate application to have the water court recognize current uses. A statement of opposition must be filed by April 30, 2006, in District Court, Water Division 7,1060 East Second Avenue, Durango, Colorado. SWCD has packets available for those wishing to research further the impact of the RICD on their water rights. The SWCD office is located at 837 E. Second Ave., Durango, Colorado 81301, or can be reached at 970 - 247 -1302. The SWCD also has a list of water attorneys and engineers available to water users to assist in determining what is most appropriate for their needs. Water users may also seek information from the Colorado Division of Water Resources, 701 Camino del Rio, Suite 205, Durango, CO, 970 -259 -1845. PLEASE SHARE THIS NOTICE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR