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<br />, <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />.' ,'~ <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />HOIChIriss, CO 81419 <br />Ma:dl1S, 200S <br /> <br />Dan Merriman, Section Coordinator <br />Colorado Water Conoervation BoanI <br />Department ofNawrn Reooun:es <br />Stile ofeolorado <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Merriman. <br />To begin, we would 1ike 10 thank you for this opportunity to express """"""'" <br />about the proposed Idion of your agency to implement additional minimal stream flow, <br />in Water Division 4. We are primarily eonc;erned with the fIowJ that effect dninages on <br />the Nonh Fad and Smith Fad of the Gunnison. We urge you to withdnlw your leuer of <br />inlemion 10 file on inItream 1I0w water rightI pending a thorough eva\ualion ofthi, <br />action for ....,.J re&5OOS. <br />Firtt, we question bow these decisions are mede. While acknowIedg;ng the <br />enviroontental goal of protecting a few species of fi.h, we questioo il. The same fi,h were <br />poisoned in the 19S0',. Jultaled tile CDOW has made recollllDeDllatiODllo meet the <br />policy .....that the rurhlflll 1C:eIl.ic, scientific and outdoor fCCIeation &tC85 of this stale are <br />to be protected, preHf\'ed. ...""ov...t and manased for the use, heDefit, and enjoyment of <br />the people of this state." The section of Muddy Creek abo\'e the Paonia Reservoir i, DOt <br />n.hlral. ThiJ qmeut oftbe river was altered lignificantly by highway construction. The <br />lat. summer water here and in nearly Williams Creek will oot be ",hanc:ed by minimal <br />_ flow deaeea. Water in these stroamI at this time of~ i, relUrtl flow from <br />iniptioo. What ,..,..".... wu uood to determine thi.;. the best... oftheae waten? What <br />priority system was uood to idemilY these locations? How were stake holden other than <br />the CWCB, the CDOW, and the CDPOR involved in deciding on the necessity of these <br />actiona? - -- <br />Second, the creation of these doer... would eliminate any further <br />dovelopment ofwater in these drainaaeo. This could be a c:rilical m;"lIke. Theae <br />draina8es contain some of tile prime, untapped Wllter sources in the _e. Bccauae your <br />propotod fIowJ MelD to be """,moua in relation 10 what water normally /lows, we feel <br />thoy would stop any further development in this area. If you wanted to become a ~ <br />in a water -.ae facility lib the SDOW1hoe Reacrvoir and applied for water to be <br />released for _ flow, would the Anthracite stream flow decree make thi, impossible? <br />11 it wile to fil. on these _ IIowI wben SWSI is looking for ways to met water need, <br />in the y_ 2030 for the 70'10+ population inaeue? <br />Finally, we feel that these decrees would be a I.~nga. In euence the creation of <br />these minimal stream floWl would eliminate the po..ibility of any future development. In <br />the clraina8e of the Muddy Creek that 11""" into the Paouia Resewir, you would crute <br />an approximately 230 square mile conservation easement. That affects the salability of <br />property. Ifreaeation and environment needs cIomand this water, then there lOOat be <br />provision for mmpeppting those that are impacted. The economic effect of. decision <br />IlUCb IS this on individuallandownen and the surroundin8 communities should be studied <br />prior to moving forward- <br />