Tamarack Plan Recharge and Wildlife Habitat Project on the Lower South Platte River (2)

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S, 0 w. 'an 14 02 03:11p Division of Wildlife 91'0- 522 -8577 p.2 January 12, 2002 TAMARACK PLAN RECHARGE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT PROJECT ON THE LOWER SOUTH PLATTE RIVER Progress Report on Utilization of Species Conservation Trust Fund (HB 98 -1006) The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director's Office (CDNR -EDO) and the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) signed in October 1999 provided funding through SCTF -1006 for the creation and protection of habitats for South Platte Native Species. This MOU is in effect through June 30, 2002. Each year as part of this MOU, the Director of CDOW in consultation with CDNR -EDO, the Colorado Wildlife Commission, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has submitted SCTF -1006 funding requests to the Colorado Legislature for approval. These requests each year have included a line item for the South Platte Native Species Project referred to as the Tamarack Plan. For Tamarack Plan development and operations, the Colorado Legislature approved $150,000 for FY '99 -00, $105,000 for FY '00 -01, and $120,000 for FY '01 -02. CDOW has a contract with the Lower South Platte Water Conservation District ( LSPWCD) to cooperate and utilize these SCTF -1006 funds in the development, operations, and monitoring associated with the Tamarack Plan. The original contract was for FY '99 -00, amended for FY '00 -01, and is currently being amended for FY'01 -02. The Tamarack Plan has focused on groundwater recharge projects at the Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area. The objectives of these projects are creating and enhancing: 1) wetlands and habitats for aquatic species of concern, waterfowl and other Colorado wildlife species; 2) instream flows for which Colorado receives credit in a Platte Basin Endangered Species Recovery Program; and 3) groundwater well augmentation in Colorado. The CDOW successfully completed an Environmental Assessment for the recharge projects at Tamarack Ranch and Pony Express SWAB with a subsequent "Finding Of No Significant Impact" from the USFWS dated October 1999. These projects have been done by CDOW and LSPWCD in conjunction with the South Platte Lower River Group, Inc. (SPLRG). SPLRG is a Colorado non -profit corporation and coalition of water users ( LSPWCD, NCWCD, GASP, PRP) and State of Colorado agencies (CDNR, CDOW, CWCB, CDWR) formed in 1995 to mainly utilize groundwater recharge to preserve existing water uses while enhancing stream flows and wildlife related habitat. The SCTF -1006 funds have been used together with grants SPLRG received from CWCB, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. In addition water users and CDOW are contributing funds and services for construction and operations. As of June 2001, 10 recharge wells are operational at the Tamarack Ranch SWA These wells, located next to the South Platte River, pump excess river flows to recharge ponds away from the river in the sand hills. 15 acres of recharge ponds have been developed. In Water Year 2001 (Nov. 2000 — Oct_ 2001), 5,130 acre -feet were pumped to these recharge areas mainly during the winter months. These ponds do not freeze because of the warm groundwater supply and therefore provide open water for thousands of ducks