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Page 6 of 6 <br /> CRWCD Protest of Proposed Little Snake Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental <br /> Impact Statement <br /> September 13, 2010 <br /> any of the proposed projects, because BLM has the ability to amend its land use plan at a future <br /> date to allow a project to occur. BLM can change its suitability determination, provided that <br /> additional data is provided to BLM that the project is justified and that the public benefits of the <br /> project outweigh the impacts associated with the project." PRMP/FEIS at D-16. BLM further <br /> comments that the reality of a Congressional designation is unlikely"because project proponents <br /> would work closely with the Colorado Congressional delegation to ensure that any designation <br /> would not impede any critical projects for Colorado's future water supply."Id. <br /> The River District appreciates the LSFO's offer and ability to reconsider suitability <br /> determinations based on the public benefits associated with water supply projects; however, <br /> speculating about how the BLM may review a suitability determination in the future is not a <br /> substitute for an adequate analysis of the impacts on water projects that would be foreclosed or <br /> curtailed in the event of a suitability determination. Nor is speculation about what the Colorado <br /> Congressional delegation may or may not do a substitute for an adequate impacts analysis. <br /> V. CONCLUSION <br /> To address the deficiencies in the PRMP/FEIS, the River District requests the BLM adopt <br /> the least restrictive wild and scenic alternative and find that none of the eligible Yampa River <br /> segments is suitable to be designated and/or managed as part of the NWSRS. Moreover, the <br /> River District firmly believes that a stakeholder-driven management plan is the preferred <br /> alternative for ensuring the protection of the ORV's without foreclosing the development of <br /> vested property interests, including absolute and conditional water rights within and upstream of <br /> the subject segments. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> R. Eric Kuhn <br /> General Manager <br /> Attachment: <br /> • Letter dated May 16,2007 from CRWCD to Jeremy Casterson,BLM <br /> cc: Board of Directors,Colorado River Water Conservation District <br /> Mike King,Executive Director,Colorado Department of Natural Resources <br /> Jennifer Gimbel,Executive Director,Colorado Water Conservation Board <br /> Audrey Danner,Chairperson,Moffat County Board of County Commissioners <br /> Nancy J.Stahoviak,Chairperson,Routt County Board of County Commissioners <br />