Board Meeting 01/14/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. Of the new funds which the D-J Expansion will provide, approximately $400,000 will be available for new projects. The first of the.. D-J Expansion monies should be available by October 1, 1985. Water Rights Acquisition Colorado's instream flow legiSlation (Section 37-92-102, 103, CRS, as amended) vests the CWCB "with the authority on behalf of the people of the state of Colorado, to appropriate ... or acquire, such waters of natural streams and lakes as may be required to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree." The Division of wildlife has proposed that a significant portion of the D-J Expansion funds for new projects be earmarked for the purchase of water rights to protect instream ,flows in highly overappropriated stream drainages. With the now having a source of funding for the purchase of water rights and the CWCB having the authority to acquire water rights for . instream flows, a joint effort has been undertaken by the staffs of the two agencies to put together the framework for a proposed state water rights acquisition program. An initial meeting was held in the fall of 1983 with various members of the water user community to get their initial reaction to such a program. The response from this group was very positive. . Currently, staff members from the CWCB, DOW, and AG are working together to address the legal implications of various water right acquisition scenarios to determine the best possible method for insuring that streamflows are preserved. Efforts are also being made to identify areas where such water right purchase would be most beneficial. Recommendation As these initial planning efforts develop, the staffs will present their findings to the Board and the Wildlife Commission. I recommend that the Board direct the staff to continue cooperating in the development of this proposed program and to present the final proposal to the Board for its review and approval. JWM/gl . MEMORANDUM -2- January 7, 1985