BOARD01800

• Board Meeting Date: 7/23/2001
• Description: Resolution Concerning the Proposed Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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reserve water right, making them an unsuitable mechanism to protect river corridors at and near

Colorado's State lines; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, together with the Boards of

County Commissioners, the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, and other organizations, has

proposed a new management framework to assist in the restoration and protection of the riparian

corridor of the Rio Grande for a 33 mile stretch between the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge

and the State line; and ,

WHEREAS, the new management framework for the river corridor has been

denominated a "Outstanding Natural Area" which would be governed by a management plan

adopted under the auspices of a commission consisting of federal, state" and local

representatives; and

WHEREAS, the management plan would be applicable to private property within the

area only upon the voluntary agreement of the landowner; and

WHEREAS, one hurtdred percent (100%) of Colorado's water use occurs above the reach

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of the river proposed as an outstanding natural area; and

WHEREAS, the proposed legislation would specifically disavow any federal water right

within the area; and

WHEREAS, the legislation would acknowledge the ability of the Colorado Water

Conservation Board to determine appropriate minimum instream flows within the area should it

deem them to be appropriate; and

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