09/4/A-003 Gunnison River Supplemental Data

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High Country Citizens' Alliance ‘1141."---ddil" 2/13/08 Jeff Baessler, Assistant Section Chief Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Stream and Lake Protection Section 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, CO 80203 Jeffrey.baessler @state.co.us Re: CWCB Annual Instream Flow Workshop Dear Jeff, I am sorry, but I am unable to attend the Workshop in person but do have some input to offer. If possible, please send me copies of any presentations prepared for the meeting. High Country Citizens' Alliance, once again, is requesting instream flow protection, through appropriation, for the Upper Gunnison River from Almont to the Curecanti National Recreation Area. We understand that, through the conduct of past field investigation, the CWCB has divided this reach into two segments so this request is for both segments. Previously, the DOW has conducted river investigations for these segments and has determined that there is an environment worth protecting and has quantified the flows needed using R2Cross. The basis for not proceeding, in the past, has been the lack of consensus on the part of local water users and the failure of support on the part of the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District. (The last vote was a 5-5 tie.) Unanimous local support has not been a determining factor in other cases and it has been a frustration to us as to why you have not moved forward on this request. We suggest that it might be time to revisit your decision and once again propose appropriating flows in the Upper Gunnison River. As a member of the UGRWCD Board of Directors, I would be glad to work with you and them to see if we can't get their support. Please consider initiating a discussion with the UGRWCD to "test the waters" about gaining their support. Regards, Steve Glazer Water Program Director P.O. BOX 459, CRESTED BUTTE, CO 81224 970 349-6646, 970 349-0164 (f), e-mail: steve@hccaonline.org