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<br /> <br />e <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />November 13,2000 <br /> <br />RECEIVED <br />NUv 1 b 2000 <br /> <br /> <br />Kristen Pfaff <br />PO 1347 <br />Telluride, CO 81435 <br /> <br />ColoradO Warer COflSE:lrvalIOIl L. <br />'.)\1<21(1 <br /> <br />Re: BLM and CDOW Instream Flow Recommendations <br /> <br />I am in strong support of the BLM/CDOW recommendations of; <br /> <br />75 cfs during the month of October to provide suitable conditions for brown trout <br />spawning. <br /> <br />60 cfs for the November 1 to March 31 period to provide suitable winter habitat for all <br />fish species. <br /> <br />85 cfs during the month of April to provide sufficient physical habitat conditions for <br />adult and juvenile trout. <br /> <br />100 cfs during the month of Mayas a transition/conditioning period in preparation for <br />spawning by rainbow trout. <br /> <br />125 cfs from June 1 to August 31 to facilitate rainbow trout spawning, brown trout fry <br />emergence, and provide adequate habitat for brown and rainbow trout adults. <br /> <br />100 cfs during the month of September as a transition/conditioning period in preparation <br />for spawning by brown trout. <br /> <br />These flow recommendations are a product of the instream flow recommendations that <br />the BLM has been working on for the past 3 years. These flows are presently available in <br />the river and will not impact any existing water rights from the river. <br /> <br />The goal within the framework of Colorado water law is to manage instream flows for the <br />sustainable functioning of the river for all time. Minimum flow requirements would <br />protect the river's fisheries, provide benefits to the riparian vegetation and minimize <br />impacts from river ice formation and ice flows that occur on the river during the winter <br />months. <br /> <br />Because of the San Miguel River's uniqueness as a relatively free flowing (without major <br />. rnainstem impoundments that significantly alter the natural flow regime) river, it should <br />be given a high priority with regard to instream flow protection. Also, economically the <br />San Miguel River supports a thriving recreational (boating, fishing, etc.) economy that is <br />benefited by a healthy river. <br /> <br />Thank you for your consideration of these matters, <br /> <br />~7#- <br /> <br />Kristen Pfaff <br /> <br />- <br />