Quantity/Quality/Wildlife Meeting January 5 1995

• Description: Quantity/Quality/Wildlife Meeting January 5 1995
• State: CO
• Date: 1/5/1995
• Title: Quantity/Quality/Wildlife Meeting January 5 1995
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Meeting

The Draft Concept Paper suggests a
to work toward native species prot
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a
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tential three -phase effort
ion:
1. Inventory of aquatic and ojzher water- dependent species and
identification of specie Vin serious decline;
2. Identification of limijiing factors for these species;
3. Identification of species protection strategies.
In addition to these sequential steps, the following efforts
would be important throughout such a process: fl
• Coordinate with and seek the support and participation of
the many local governments, organizations, and interests
which could be significantly affected by these efforts;
• Establish agreements with appropriate federal agencies to
secure their support for the implementation of necessary
research, planning, and actions; and
• Identify potential funding sources other than the state J
general fund for implementation of indicated actions.
The two Departments welcome the input of all members of the
public into the discussion as to whether a native species
protection initiative is indeed the appropriate Colorado response
to e challenges iden 1 ove
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If this concept is to be tested in practice, it is suggestlbas at
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while some coordinated and consistent statewide efforts wi
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important, resources should initially be targeted around ct
high priority concerns. For example, ongoing South Platte r�
issues may suggest a focussed pilot project effort in that n.
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The proposed init iative does not contemplate the need for any new
authorities or significant new state general fu Rather, the
goal would be to apply existing aut orities in a coordinated
manner in the hope of better serving the long -term interests of
the state as a whole. It is anticipated that the initiative
8.
would be supported by a variety of funding sources and
implemented through the eve opment o a Memorandum
Understanding between appropriate DNR and DPHE agencies. The
development of such an MOU would follow standard procedure and
provide additional opportunities for public review.
2
The first step in exploring the viability of this initiative is
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circulating this draft concept paper for comment. In addition,
we propose that a public workshop, involving the Water
Conservation Board, the Water Quality Control Commission and the
Wildlife Commission, be scheduled for March 15, 1995, to provide
an opportunity for further public examination of this concept.
The two Departments welcome the input of all members of the
public into the discussion as to whether a native species
protection initiative is indeed the appropriate Colorado response
to e challenges iden 1 ove
(J3