Species Conservation Trust Fund for FY 2002-2003 for South Platte

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Ae ar se -r,w-�" cdJ A / lie 64 DRAFT; November 30, 2001 Species Conservation Trust Funding for FY 2002 -2003 for South Platte The purpose of this South Platte project is to continue the monitoring, operations, enhancement, and expansion of the recharge and species habitat facilities at the Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area (SWA). The facilities at Tamarack Ranch involve the integration of managed groundwater recharge with the development and enhancement of pond, stream, and slough refuge habitat for waterfowl, wildlife, and native minnow fish species of concern in the South Platte River basin. In -state objectives involve the development of new habitat as part of the recharge ponds at the SWA and the improvement of the natural river sloughs as minnow habitat by accretions from the recharge activities returning to the river during the low flow summer season. The project also provides the facilities needed to re- regulate water for Colorado's Tamarack Plan as part of the 1997 Cooperative Agreement among the states of Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and U.S. Department of the Interior for a Platte Basin ESA Program. Continued operations of the recharge facilities increase water storage in the groundwater aquifer, which will produce significant Tamarack Plan water credits when the Platte Basin ESA Program begins in mid 2003. C4DK _Z� ��J V_ Project Tasks /Deliverables and Associated Costs:` / yµ^ For $80,000, costs (electricity) for pumping during six months for the 10 wells currently in operation as part of the Tamarack Plan recharge and wildlife habitat project. Depending upon river conditions, these 10 wells will pump from 9,000 to 12,000 acre -feet for FY 2002 -2003. For $50,000, monitoring equipment and fuel and supplies for continued operations, maintenance, and enhancements of water delivery and recharge pond system. Monitoring equipment will include observation wells, data loggers, and flow measurement devises for observing relationships between aquifer levels, slough habitats, and river flows in order to develop better recharge and river management. O &M supplies will include routine equipment maintenance and equipment leases or purchases. if For $20,000, expenses related to monitoring agreements with outside entities such as Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District and Colorado State University. These two entities have assisted with field monitoring and data 1