Lottis Creek ISF Proposal with Attachments 10-27-21

October 22, 2021 Mr. Robert Viehl Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street Denver, CO 80203 Dear Mr. Viehl, High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) submits this instream flow recommendation for Lottis Creek, located in Gunnison County, Water Division 4. HCCA's mission is to protect the health and natural beauty of the land, rivers, and wildlife in and around Gunnison County. Many of our members live and work here and enjoy recreational opportunities and a quality of life that is preserved by our valley's wildlife, habitat, and water resources. HCCA's 29 year-old water program has a long history of protecting waters in the Upper Gunnison Basin and in developing an environmental voice within key regional and state forums. In recent years, HCCA has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management to support instream flow proposals on the Slate River and Oh-Be-Joyful Creek. In 2016 HCCA submitted proposals to protect increased instream flows for Coal Creek and Brush Creek. HCCA partnered with Western Resource Advocates in 2017 to submit an instream flow proposal on Dutchman Creek. More recently HCCA submitted instream flow proposals for Gold Creek, Cement Creek, Spring Creek, Coal Creek, and Wildcat Creek, all in Division 4. The headwaters of Lottis Creek originate at over 12,000 feet in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness on United States Forest Service lands in Gunnison County. The Lottis Creek riparian area supports diverse habitat including beaver pond complexes with ample high-quality riparian vegetation and treed areas with mixed pine and spruce forests. Data provided from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) shows that Lottis Creek hosts a robust recreational fishery of brown trout and rainbow trout. HCCA staff observed a wide range of macro invertebrates when completing R2Cross assessments in 2020.