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The non-consumptive recreational use of water is a critical statewide economic driver in Colorado— <br /> especially • <br /> especially in the headwater communities.The construction of the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park is an <br /> important and appropriate use of state funds that will enhance summer tourism to the region,create <br /> jobs,and enhance the recreation opportunities available in a popular,developed BLM recreational site. <br /> This reach of the Upper Colorado River is well known to boaters across the west for the reliable late <br /> summer flows provided by releases from upstream reservoirs bound for farmers in the Grand Valley. <br /> The IBBC's December 2010 letter to Governors Ritter and Hickenlooper reaffirmed the intent of the <br /> 1177 process to be inclusive of rural,recreation economies by opening with this statement <br /> "In order to ensure a water future for Colorado that continues our quality of life,our system <br /> of water allocation should be guided and supported by a comprehensive framework that <br /> will marshal ever-scarcer government resources in a manner that supports economic <br /> growth;protects our environment;provides for municipal,agricultural,and industrial <br /> needs;and supports rural,recreation,and ecotourism-based economies." <br /> The Gore Canyon Whitewater Park application submitted by Grand County is the ideal opportunity for <br /> the CWCB to demonstrate that the CWCB is fulfilling the intent of the Colorado Legislature as stated by <br /> the IBCC to"marshal ever-scarcer government resources in a manner that supports economic <br /> growth...for rural,recreation and ecotourism-based economies." <br /> Grand County has answered many questions about the project and helped CWCB staff understand the <br /> extraordinary investment of over$5,000,000 by this small headwater community of 14,000 people to <br /> the health of Colorado's rivers.Grand County has spent these significant resources to protect,mitigate <br /> and restore the environmental impacts created by a long history of water diversion projects In the { • <br /> Colorado River headwaters. <br /> As part of the extensive negotiations with Denver Water,Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District <br /> and over 35 west slope water providers,Grand County has taken a leadership role to advocate for the <br /> health of the rivers and a carefully balanced approach to resolving water disputes in the headwaters in <br /> ways that provide multiple benefits. For example,Grand County has partnered with Denver Water to <br /> provide up to 3,500 acre feet of water to the CWCB In-Stream Flow program through releases of water <br /> into the Fraser River and from Williams Fork Reservoir. This water will be released during low flow <br /> periods to preserve and improve flows on the Colorado River including the recreational use of the water <br /> as it flows through the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park.Using firming project values of$13,000/af,about <br /> $45M worth of water was added to the CWCB ISF program through this cooperative effort. <br /> Support of the rural,recreational economy through development of the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park <br /> at Pumphouse is another small yet important part of these collaborative agreements with water <br /> providers on the east and west slope. A number of organizations including Denver Water and the <br /> Colorado River District submitted letters of support for the grant to be approved. <br /> { <br />