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• Recommendations are submitted to CWCB for determinations and appropriation. The CWCB provides notice and an opportunity for public input on every recommendation. • The CWCB then files an application with the water court to adjudicate the ISF water right. How an ISF water right provides permanent stream-flow protection: • ISF water rights are adjudicated and administered within the state's water-rights priority system, as are any other Colorado water rights. • While a junior-priority ISF water right cannot affect the operation of senior decreed water rights, it is entitled to stream conditions as they existed at the time of the ISF appropriation. Consequently, ISF water rights have standing in water court to ensure that proposed plans for augmentation and changes to water rights do not alter stream conditions to the detriment of decreed ISF water rights. • The CWCB's staff monitors, protects and enforces ISF water rights. Acquisitions of existing water rights for ISF use: • The CWCB may acquire water; absolute direct flow or storage, but not conditional rights; water rights or interests in water to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree, on either a permanent or temporary basis. • Flexible contracts outline the terms of each acquisition. The CWCB may acquire water (or interests in water) by donation, purchase, lease, or other contractual arrangement. • The CWCB works with water-right owners on a voluntary basis to protect stream flows in a manner consistent with state law. • The CWCB evaluates proposed water acquisitions using a public process and established criteria. • The Colorado Division of Wildlife works with the CWCB to quantify amounts necessary to preserve or improve the natural environment with acquired water. • The CWCB must apply to water court to obtain a change decree to use an acquired water right for ISF purposes to ensure that no injury will result from the change. • The CWCB has money available for the purchase or lease of water rights for ISF purposes. Benefits of water acquisitions: • Acquisitions can: protect ISFs where water may not be available for a new junior ISF right; restore, rehabilitate or improve the natural environment in degraded stream systems; and extend the amount of time water is legally available to existing junior ISF water rights. • Acquired rights, changed by decree of the water court, are administered in priority. • The CWCB and water-rights owners can develop creative approaches to ISF protection in the acquisition process. For more detailed information on the ISF Program, go to htto://cwcb.state.co.us/StreamAndLake -3-