Second Draft Hermosa Creek Workgroup Final Report November 2 2009

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"'saved." Others said: We do not want this Creek degraded. For those who are concerned with planning for future water and water development, the main concerns are implementing any tools that would limit options for water planning, development and use in the future; quantification — in terms of being asked to specifically state how much water will be needed for what, when and where; and the potential of a Federally Reserved Water Right that comes with a WSR designation. This constituency also noted several times that the land protections agreed to also serve as protections for water namely Wilderness, the Roadless Area and the SMA. Therefore, it was determined at an important juncture during the summer of 2009 that recommendations regarding potential additional water protections for Hermosa Creek are tied to the other four river /streams under consideration by the RPW project. Launching and concluding public workgroups, very similar to the HCW, will give everyone a broader understanding of where trade -offs may occur, where future additional water protections might be agreed to and where future water development might happen. This compromise, while not entirely popular with everyone, was reached over the course of three months and involved many discussions and some caucusing on the part of groups involved. The "circling back" action step does not mean that water issues for Hermosa Creek are being placed on the shelf indefinitely nor does it mean the WSR designation is no longer an option. It should be strongly noted that the "circling back" for discussion ofefi water issues for Hermosa Creek wi/ /happen and sooner than originally planned. A new goal was established to finish the remaining public workgroup by 2011, earlier than the original target date of 2013. By agreeing to this approach, the RPW Steering Committee reiterated their ongoing support to not only fund and conclude the public workgroups across the basin but to set up a structure by which regional negotiations can occur on key water issues, including ideas, issues and protection tools raised in the HCW meetings. So, discussions on additional water protections on Hermosa Creek are "to be continued" but the land protections, the Advisory Council and other recommendations should move forward now. Hermosa Creek Workgroup Final Report: Second Draft 11/2/09 FiFSt I)Faft= 10'z8/09 21