BOARD01696

• Board Meeting Date: 9/13/2005
• Description: ISF Section - Memorandum of Understanding Between Colo. Dept. of Natural Resources and Colo. Water Conservation Board and US Dept. of Interior Bureau of Land Management
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
STATE OF COLORADO
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND
STATE OF COLORADO
WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
AND
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOD) is hereby made and entered
into by and between State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources, hereinafter
referred to as the DNR, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, hereinafter
referred to as CWCB, and the United States Department ofInterior, Bureau of Land
Management, hereinafter referred to as the BLM.

A. PURPOSE:

To formalize a framework for the BLM, the DNR and the CWCB to work together in
a cooperative manner on issues regarding the management of water and water uses on
BLM lands in Colorado.

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B. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS:

Water is the lifeblood of Colorado, the allocation and management of which plays a
crucial role in the vitality of Colorado's economy and way ofJife. Water dependent
wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic, ecological, agricultural, municipal, industrial and
recreational values ofBLM lands in Colorado contribute substantially to the economy
ofthe state, and the enjoyment ofthe public.

The prior appropriation system was developed in Colorado to govern the appropriation,
use and distribution of water tailored to Colorado's unique physiologic, hydrologic and
climatic conditions. The BLM provides land, access and rights-of-way for numerous
water supply and transport facilities in Colorado that allow for the exercise of water
rights under the prior appropriation system.

Federal and State interests in the management of water resources on BLM lands
require coordination and cooperation between the DNR, the CWCB and the BLM.
There are numerous federal and state laws pertaining to the management of land and
water resources, and collaborative efforts consistent with the state and federal law
wi11lead to most effective management of water resources for all uses.

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It is in the public interest to find collaborative solutions to challenging natural resource
issues under cooperative agreements. Cooperation will result in more benefits to the
public, to water resources, and to federal land than interaction through other means.