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Platte River <br />September 20, 2004 <br />Page 2 <br />4. South Platte River Basin fisheries in Colorado. There is little or no discussion in the Chapter 4 regarding <br />fisheries in the South Platte Basin in Colorado. The water leasing and water emphasis alternatives could <br />have significant impacts on these fisheries. These impacts need to be further analyzed. <br />5. Creating an ESA plan for the Central Platte River that protects the 4 target species described in the DEIS is <br />a worthy goal, but it is critical that we do not do that at the expense of other wildlife species in the State of <br />Colorado. <br />a. As stated in the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Tamarack Project at Tamarack Ranch and <br />Pony Express State Wildlife Areas (SWAs)', Tamarack Project operations will elevate water tables <br />in riparian meadows, will increase groundwater return flows to the sloughs and river channels at <br />the SWAs and will generate open water surfaces at the recharge ponds. In turn, these hydrological <br />changes will serve to maintain and enhance existing riparian and wetland habitats at the SWAs in <br />a manner that will benefit waterfowl, amphibian, and fish species of concern and will contribute to <br />creation of needed wetland and wet meadow complexes. The EA was based on the original <br />envisioned operating parameters for the Tamarack Project. As adaptive management continues to <br />update operations and timing; CDOW will evaluate these updates to ensure that these SWA <br />benefits continue to be a part of Tamarack Project operations. <br />b. We are particularly concerned with little fishes (Suckermouth minnow, brassy minnow, plains <br />minnow) as well as waterfowl, upland game birds, and other species that inhabit the Lower South <br />Platte drainage within Colorado. The envisioned operation of the Tamarack is expected to benefit <br />these species. <br />c. Specifically regarding the minnow issues, we need to be able to adaptively manage the SWA, so <br />that as we learn more about the needs of the species we can manage for those aquatic habitat <br />features. <br />d. In addition, we do not want to sacrifice the recreational sport fishery that is extensively used by <br />residents of Colorado and other states. <br />6. The DEIS states that water that has been retimed through the Tamarack Project would flow downstream <br />and be protected from consumptive use to the habitat area (page 3 -31). This protection is limited in that <br />any Tamarack accretions would be for beneficial use in Colorado consistent with state law and interstate <br />compacts. <br />7. CDOW continues to support agricultural use of water on the South Platte. The wildlife community that we <br />value along the river has developed and depends to a large extent on the irrigated agricultural practices <br />now in place. Restrictions or diminishment of agriculture on the South Platte could diminish wildlife <br />values as well. <br />8. CDOW will not relinquish operational control on the portion of the Tamarack Project located on state <br />wildlife areas. CDOW's control is to ensure that there is no inadvertent injury to fish and wildlife <br />resources in Colorado including but not limited to endangered, threatened, and species of concern as a <br />result of project operations. <br />1 Colorado Division of Wildlife, August 3, 1999, Final Environmental Assessment for the Tamarack Ranch Managed <br />Groundwater Recharge Project at Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area and Pony Express State Wildlife Area, Denver, CO. <br />