Board Meeting 03/17/1980

• Board Meeting Date: 3/17/1980
• Description: Agenda and Minutes
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

Members, CWCB
March 7, 1980
Page two

The RMBL has offered to reassign its water rights to the
State. It would be advantageous for the CWCB and the State of
Colorado to acquire the ID1BL water rights for the following
reasons:

1. The CWCB appropriation would be filed in 1980,
while the RMBL decrees date back to 1932.

2. The acquisition would enhance the previously
established State policy of protecting the
natural values of this area.

3. The uses allowed in the water rights are con-
sistent with the purposes and uses of minimum
stream flow appropriations.

The RMBL, however, will not assign or designate its water rights
in Mexican Cut without certain conditions. These conditions are
no different from those presently imposed by the articles of
designation drawn between the Nature Conservancy and the State of
Colorado regarding land use in the Mexican Cut/Galena Mountain
Natural Area. In general, these conditions would prohibit the
introduction of non-indigenous species and limit, not restrict,
the means of access to the area. The purpose of these conditions
is to prevent upsetting the uniqueness of the area. This would
be consistent with minimum stream flow purposes, as the area has
been designated to the State as a natural area.

Currently, the area immediately surrounding the Mexican
Cut/Galena Mountain Natural Area is being examined for possible
future mineral development. The CWCB's action would protect these
ponds from future potentially adverse impacts of other water
appropriations and water right changes. This action will also
be consistent with the statutory declaration on preservation
of the natural environment to a reasonable degree. Finally, this
action would directly complement the State's efforts in designating
the Mexican Cut/Galena Mountain Natural Area as Colorado's first
natural area.

TWP :mvk

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