BOARD00443

• Board Meeting Date: 7/23/2001
• Description: ISF Section - New Recommendations in Division 4: Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose and San Miguel Counties
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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MARCIE RYAN
PO BOX 1832 I
TELLURIDE, CO 81435
[phone]

,June 12, 2001

Donald Schwir.dt, Dan Merriman, & Greg Walcher Fax [phone]

Dear Mr. Schwindt, Mr. Merriman, and Mr. Walcher,

I am residenc of San Miguel County, living on the
Miguel River between Fall Creek and Plecerville.
16 years, and r am a geologist by training.

banks of the San
I have lived here for

I "am writing in support of the minimum inflow stream requirements
recommended by the DOW and BLM for the reach between Fall Creek and
Horsefly Creek on our river. I attended the 2-1/2 hr. presentation
held on June 7th here in Telluride and understand the concept of
minimum inflo\< stream recommendations. I feel chat the field work done
supports the recommendations made by these agencies for your
. protection.

Wate:r: resources. are a "hot issue" right now, and I understand that some
entities further downstream (Tcwn of Norwood) and Montrose County are
opposed to these recommendations. You should know that there are many
residents who enjoy the opportunities provided by the San Miguel River
that support the recommendations. Please do not let the voice of the
vocal minority prevent you from adopting these recommendations. It is
of utmost importance to me and my neighbors to protect the macro and
rnicro-bio~ic inhabitants of this river reach.

Living on the river, I have an excellent historic perspective of
minimum and maximum stream flows. In addition, our backyard bas served
as a data collection point for the past 4 years for the ELM's study on
ice flows and ,heir causes. I have been an eye witness observer'to
repcrt ice flows, working closely with Dennis Murphy and his staff.
The data they have collected is an instrumental part of determining the
recommended winter minimum inflows. Without minimum inflow '
recommendations being adopted, I am afraid that excessive erosion could
occur due to large fluotuations in water levels, especially in the
winter, when flows are not much more than the recommended minimum right
now.

I urqe you to adopt these m~n~mum inflow requirements. This is not
just an issue of importance to the "fishing and "rafting" public. It is
of major importance to property owners along the river. Please hear my
plea to support this recommendation. I, and my neighbors, thank you
for your conSideration.

, , pincerely,

,,,~~~.

Marcie & Serry Ryan
(970), 746-3391