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<br />.. <br /> <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />Allen: Dan Merriman <br />721 Centennial Bldg. <br />1313 Shennan St. <br />Denver CO 80203 <br /> <br />3-15-99 <br />RECEJVED <br /> <br />M~R 1 B 1999 <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />COfOf2do I,'},-'-T <br />Conse,..../?> ~ ,:~'- <br /> <br />Hello Dan, <br /> <br />The town of Breckenridge is expending great energy, money and resources to lay claim to water rights on a pristine <br />Summit County stream called Miner's Creek. <br /> <br />Miner's Creek is a beautiful, year round flowing stream that runs down through the outskirts of Frisco and into Lake <br />Dillon. Brook trout spawn in the stream in the fall and it feeds two bodies of water, Rainbow Lake and Bill's Ranch <br />Lake, as well as beaver ponds and wetlands. Rainbow Lake is a gem, a short hike from Frisco, yet having the <br />undisturbed natural beauty that Colorado is famous for. It's a highlight for visitors and locals alike. The creek also runs <br />along a large portion of the Peaks Trail, probably the most popular biking/hiking trail between Breckenridge and Frisco. <br />The trail is popular in part because of the beauty of Miner's Creek. <br /> <br />The Breckenridge proposal would most probably do a number of things. If even a portion of the water is diverted, it <br />could mean that Miner's Creek would dry up completely in the low-water months of August and September. Also, it <br />could mean that Rainbow Lake, Bill's Ranch Lake, and surrounding wetlands and beaver ponds would dry up as well. <br />No one can ever remember that happening in our lifetimes. By changing the flow rate of the creek, the mineral content <br />and/or chemical makeup of the water is also altered, which could confuse spawning trout. Not to mention, if the creek is <br />dry, there will be no spawning trout. All native vegetation and wildlife in the wetland areas would be altered if the level <br />of this small creek lowers or disappears completely. <br /> <br />Ancient water rights are said to have priority over all else. But in a state where conservation, tourism, and preservatio~_ <br />of natural beauty is a priority, should the town of Breckenridge be allowed to find a "loop-hole" way to take water awa. <br />from a stream that has flowed undisturbed for at least a century, perhaps forever, just to fuel further development and <br />possible snow-making? Or is it time to say times have changed and more important things now need protecting. The <br />county has already worked hard on many other development issues to preserve the wetlands areas included in this <br />drainage, a major priority, so should all that work be for nothing? <br /> <br />We appreciate the Colorado Water Conservation Board stepping up to this issue. This is what you are here for - to make <br />sure Colorado retains it's natural and historic heritage and beauty. This is historic, beautiful Colorado being trampled <br />and abused by uncaring, destructive big development. It's not necessarily developers fault. They are part of a machine <br />that is so out of control that it will eventually destroy the actual surroundings (Le. the beauty of mountains, streams, and <br />lakes) that they are using to attract people to in the fIrst place. Miner's Creek is a Colorado treasure. Please help even <br />the developers see the error of their ways and help preserve another pristine piece of beautiful Colorado! <br /> <br />Please notifY me immediately of any hearings, etc. that are scheduled in regards to the above subject at one of the <br />following addresses:. <br /> <br />Rusty Lewis <br />Lot #18 Bill's Ranch <br />PO Box 1421 <br />Frisco CO 80443 <br />970-668-0562 <br />email: rusty@colorado.net <br /> <br />T4hk yo:e .... <br />~t~WiS <br /> <br />e <br />