BOARD01150

• Board Meeting Date: 5/24/1999
• Description: WSP Section - Colorado River Basin Issues - Colorado River "15-Mile Reach" ESA Section 7 Consultation
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Mr. Ralph Morgenweck
Mr. Greg Walcher
Re: Upper Colorado River Basin Endangered Fish Species Recovery Program
May 6, 1999
Page 3

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3. Gunnison River Basin: The Service is currently conducting a Section 7 consultation
on the operation of the Aspinall Unit. The long-anticipated "synthesis report" is due
out soon. The River District believes that the Aspinall Unit operation is critical to
protecting existing uses and providing for future uses within the Gunnison River
Basin, including the Uncompaghre River sub-basin. The picture is further
complicated by the quantification of the Black Canyon National Monument federal
reserved water right. Implementation of the 15MRPBO without a better
understanding of the role of the Aspinall Unit within the overall Recovery Program
strategy may be unacceptable to our Gunnison River constituents.

The River District fully understands that the 15MRPBO discussions have been difficult, and that the
process needs to reach a conclusion. We also understand that it will take time to discuss and address
the "other-basin" issues. However, I strongly believe that the other-baSin issues must be addressed
in order for the River District Board to make an informed decision on the 15MRPBO.

Please contact me. at your earliest opportunity to discuss these issues.

Sincerely,

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~ &\.L- LL-

R. Eric Kuhn
Secretary/General Manager

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~: Bomdof~~on.CRVVCD
Peter Evans
Hcmy Maddux
TomPjtts
Board of Directors. CWCB
Janice Sheftel
CRBO List Server
Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District
Rio Blanco Waier Conservancy District
Ye1low Jacket Water Conservancy District
Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District
Tri-County Water Conservancy District
Uncompaghre Valley Walet Users Association

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