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<br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />which would involve "development of a plan to protect designated releases from Vallecito Reservoir <br />for Pine River instream purposes." PRID and the Tribe own water stored in Vallecito Reservoir and <br />make releases to meet contract obligations and other downstream water needs. <br /> <br />At the February 2003 ISF Workshop, Steve Harris (on behalf of PRID and the Tribe) <br />requested staff to consider a water donation proposal in lieu of a new instream flow appropriation. <br />Staff agreed to work with all parties towards development of a water donation agreement which <br />provided stream flow protection at a level equal to or greater than a standard new instream flow <br />appropriation while allowing PRID and the Tribe flexibility in their day-to-day operations of <br />Vallecito Reservoir. Staff believed that, if successful, the donation proposal could be considered in <br />lieu of a new instream flow appropriation. <br /> <br />Staff has worked with PRID, the Tribe, and the Attorney General's Office since 2003 to craft <br />such an agreement. Staff presented a preview of the draft donation agreement to the Board in <br />September 2005 as an informational item. Since that time, staff, PRID and the Tribe have continued <br />to work on the agreement, and the attached proposal now reflects I) a winter instream flow reach <br />which extends downstream to Tribal lands, 2) an increase in the summer donation amount to 136 cfs, <br />3) the addition ofCWCB as a co-applicant for the new storage right, and 4) a provision which allows <br />CWCB to lease or purchase water (if available) to preserve or improve the natural environment. <br /> <br />Summary of Proposal <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The attached agreement focuses on three distinct hydrologic scenarios tied to winter storage <br />levels in Va!!ecito Reservoir. Under each winter scenario, PRID and the Tribe have committed to <br />donate a specified amount of storage water to the Board to preserve the natural environment in the <br />Pine River downstream from Vallecito Reservoir. During the summer months, the instream flow <br />reach would extend from the outlet of the reservoir to the Highway 160 Bridge; during the winter <br />months, the reach would extend further downstream to the confluence of Dry Creek near the town of <br />Ignacio. <br /> <br />During the summer months, the donated water would consist primarily of water delivered to <br />meet contract obligations; however, PRID and the Tribe have also committed to guarantee a <br />minimum flow through the instream flow reach to the Highway 160 Bridge to preserve the natural <br />environment to a reasonable degree. During the winter, water would be released from storage and <br />the Board would protect that flow through the instream flow reach. During both summer and winter <br />periods, the agreement provides for reduced releases during emergencies, shortages or projected <br />shortages, but also establishes a minimum release of 5 cfs during those times. <br /> <br />Summary of Donated Flows <br /> <br />. <br /> <br /> Time Period Amount Donated <br />Summer Months 136 cfs <br />Winter Months <br />. Storage level> or = 77K AF 50 cfs <br />. Storage level 77K AF to 60K AF 36 - 25 cfs <br />. Storage level < 60K 5 cfs <br />Emergency/Sbortage condition 5 cfs <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />