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

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Jan 14 02 03:12p Division of Wildlife 970 -522 -8577 The items for Highline Electric totaling $22,586.20 were for payments of electrical pumping costs. About 50% of these electrical costs were for pumping to the minnow stream/pond system and the wetland meadows. This total electrical payment is only about 10% of the total electrical payment for all the pumping of recharge wells at Tamarack Ranch that began in February 1997. The majority of the electrical expenses have been paid through SPLRG utilizing CWCB grants and water user contributions. The remaining funds for the original CDOW/LSPWCD Contract and Amendment One total $105,178.27 while the already Legislatively approved Amendment Two is an additional $120,000.00. These funds will be used for continued operational and monitoring expenses. Additional deep monitoring wells with automatic recorders will be installed along with remote monitoring by digital phones at all recharge wells for pumping status. Creation of sloughs in the wetland meadows is planned, as is the enhancement of existing sloughs. All the electrical pumping costs for the next few years for the minnow stream/pond system and wetland meadows will be paid by the SCTF- 1006 funds approved for the Tamarack Plan as will some part of the recharge pumping expense. With SCTF -1006 funds under the management, direction, and control of CDOW, their focused and efficient use will continue to successfully implement CDOW goals and objectives for the conservation of minnow species of concern in the lower South Platte River. Currently under development is an MOU between CDNR, CDOW, CWCB, and CDWR for the expansion of recharge facilities and for the long -term operational policies and responsibilities for the recharge facilities on State Wildlife Areas along the lower South Platte River. A future and major objective of the recharge operations is providing water accretion credits for Colorado in a future Platte Basin ESA Program scheduled to begin in late 2003. This forthcoming MOU between these State of Colorado agencies will provide the framework for resolving the long -term financial and operational issues. However, in the interim, the already approved SCTF -1006 funds under the direction of CDOW will continue the operations, maintenance, and enhancement of CDOW's species conservation activities in the lower South Platte. p.4