Letter from Colorado River District

• Description: Documents related to the Little Snake River RMP
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White/Green
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 9/21/2010
• Author: Colorado River District
• Title: Protest of the BLM's Wild and Scenic River Suitability Determinations
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Correspondence

COLORADO RIVER WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Protecting Western Colorado Water Since 1937
Mr. Jeremy Casterson, Planning Coordinator May 16,2007
Bureau of Land Management
Little Snake Field Office
455 Emerson Street
Craig, CO 81625 VIA E-MAIL: colsrmprl blm.gov
jeremy casterson kblm„goy
Re: Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Resource Management Plan
Dear Mr. Casterson:
I am submitting comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Resource
Management Plan for the Little Snake Field Office("DEIS")on behalf of the Colorado River Water
Conservation District("River District"). The River District appreciates the opportunity to comment
on the DEIS.
The River District is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, created pursuant to
C.R.S. § 37-46-101, et seq., comprised of all or parts of 15 western Colorado counties within the
Colorado River basin and its principal tributaries,including the Yampa,White and Gunnison Rivers.
The River District was formed in 1937 for the purpose of the conservation,use and development of
the water resources of the Colorado River Basin for the benefit of all of the inhabitants of the district
and is charged with safeguarding Colorado's entitlement to water under the Colorado River
Compact. The River District owns multiple water rights in the Yampa River basin, including
conditional water rights for reservoirs within the proposed Yampa River Segments 1-3.
I. INTRODUCTION
The River District,as a water agency charged with conservation,use and development of the
water resources of the State of Colorado,is primarily concerned with the potential designation of five
segments(three Yampa River segments, Vermillion Creek and Beaver Creek) as Wild and Scenic
pursuant to the Wild and Scenic River Act("WSRA"). As you probably know,designation of rivers
in Colorado as Wild and Scenic is often contentious due to potential impacts to water rights,supplies
and facilities. Our concern is that designation pursuant to WSRA is too stringent and restrictive in
its requirements, thereby reducing flexibility to meet future water demands in Colorado. The
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P.O. BOX 1120/GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81602
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