BOARD00746

• Board Meeting Date: 1/24/2006
• Description: ISF Section - Instream Flow Subcommittee Recommendations
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
13 13 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone, [phone]
PAX, (303) 866,4474
www.cwcb.state.co.us

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MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

To:

Russell George
Executive Director

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

From:

Rod Kuharich
eWeB Director

CWCB Instream Flow Subcommittee Members
Barbara Biggs, Keith Catlin, Eric Wilkinson, John Redifer, Don
Schwindt, Tom Sharp, Rod Kuharich

Rick Brown
Acting Deputy Director

Date:

January II, 2006

Subject:

Agenda Item 31, January 24-25, 2006 - Board Meeting
Stream and Lake Protection Section - ISF Subcommittee Recommendations

Background

At the October 13, 2005 Instream Flow Subcommittee Meeting, staff discussed the
procedures it utilizes for requesting and considering instream flow recommendations. Staff
explained the existing timeline for processing recommendations, and recommended changes to
address Board concems regarding the need for additional time for public notice and comment.
After discussing the process, Subcommittee members requested staff to draft written procedures
and a revised timeline for the Subcommittee's review at the next meeting.

At its November 16, 2005 meeting, the Subcommittee reviewed and commented on the
proposed procedures and suggested additional minor changes to the timeline, In addition, the
Subcommittee discussed a basin rotation approach for the consideration of new appropriations
from recommending agencies and directed staff to develop a specific recommendation for its
implementation.

New Appropriation Timeline and Associated Procedures

The instream flow workshop in February provides an opportunity for any person, agency
or organization to recommend stream reaches or natural lakes to the CWCB for inclusion into the
Instream Flow and Natural Lake Level Program (ISF Program). The recommending entities use
this workshop to present streams and lakes they have identified and prioritized for protection
under the ISF Program. However, because data is typically collected during the late summer and
early fall, a formal instream flow recommendation is often not submitted to staff for review and
analysis lUltillate October or early November. As a result, there is very little time for public
notice and comment before the Board is asked to take action,

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning