Grant Application - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CWCB/CDOW SCTF request for funds to acquire water for ISF use to protect state endangered and state threatened species,and state species of concern The CWCB is coordinating with the CDOW,The Nature Conservancy,Colorado Water Trust and Trout Unlimited on developing a plan to protect species of concern and prevent species listings through strategic acquisitions of water for instream flow(ISF)use in key river basins. The funding would be used to(1) seek out and realize immediate opportunities to acquire water on streams where a need for additional flows to protect these species have been identified; (2) acquire and convert water to ISF use under CWCB's ISF Rules(by purchase or lease); (3) develop a science-based identification of future stream flow acquisition priorities focusing on state endangered, state threatened and state species of concern and the basins in which they occur, in part by overlaying species habitat or range, such as CDOW species occurrences,with CDSS flow data; and(4)identify projects to acquire water to provide additional flows to protect the targeted species. Funding for these proactive measures is a sound investment in conserving our state's natural heritage and protecting consumptive water uses. GOAL: Assure the continued existence of native fish populations to preclude or eliminate the need for state and/or federal listing. By avoiding listings,we avoid significant impacts to water use in Colorado and the major costs of a federal listing. -'. HOW? Acquire water for ISFs to improve habitat for native fish species that are known to be declining, generally listed as state listed as endangered,threatened,or species of concern. ( Seek out immediate opportunities to acquire water for ISF use focusing on the following species/basins, with the goal of 3 acquisitions over the next 1%2 years: o Roundtail chub,bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker. The roundtail chub is a state species of concern, and all three species are the subject of a Multi-State Conservation Plan signed onto by Colorado and the Bureaus of Land Management and Reclamation. The Dolores,Yampa, San Miguel and Colorado Rivers would be the focus. o Rio Grande cutthroat(state species of concern). Could also include Rio Grande Sucker (state endangered)and Rio Grande Chub(state species of concern)in Rio Grande Basin, with focus on Medano Creek and Hot Creek. o Plains fishes: A suite of plains fish are thought to be declining. Priorities include brassy minnow(state threatened),plains orangethroat darter(state species of concern), and northern and southern redbelly dace(both state endangered). Activities would focus in the South Platte and Republican Basins,and possibly the Arkansas. Specific focus on the Arikaree River. Establish conservation priorities and develop plan to take conservation action to avoid listings. Steps will include: • Pull together existing information from SWSI II,BRT non-consumptive mapping efforts, and other CDOW data on the fish species of concern; identify data gaps on the ground and places where we need more data and sampling effort. • Use CDSS and other hydrologic tool(s)to assess hydrology and ground truth/monitor these efforts, so we know where species are affected by water availability. • Prioritize water short areas and gather information regarding water uses in those areas, so we optimize our investment to put more water in rivers where it's needed most to conserve species and avoid listings. • Conduct public education efforts with private landowners(especially on plains)and develop a strategy to identify water rights for sale/lease from willing sellers in key basins, either through direct outreach or a public RFP.