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<br />" <br /> <br />-. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />BALLOT INITIATIVE 16 <br />PAYMENTS FOR WATER BY THE RIO GRANDE WATER <br />CONSERV A nON DISTRICT . <br /> <br />The initiative is a constitutional amendment directed at one water conservation district and <br />requiring fixed payments of $40.00 per acre foot by holders of Rio Grande River water rights <br />based on a proration of the amount of water pumped from under State Land Board lands covered <br />by water decree W-3038. Such payments are required not only on water to be pumped but on all <br />water iliat has been pumped since operation of the Closed Basin Project began. <br /> <br />The Colorado Wildlife Commission, in considering the effect of this initiative finds the results <br />totally unacceptable. The liability to the Division of Wildlife for past pumping could exceed one <br />million dollars and the future pumping could require the DOW to discontinue the use of many of <br />its wells. The impact on the Division of Wildlife's ability to manage wildlife habitats, wildlife <br />species, the value of water rights and properties purchased by and with sportsmen funds for <br />public benefit, and long term cooperative agreements to benefit wildlife habitat and wildlife <br />recreation are unwarranted. <br /> <br />The Colorado Wildlife Commission opposes the proposed initiative to amend the State <br />Constitution in this manner. <br /> <br />9118/98 <br />