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<br />March"18,1999 <br /> <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />Attention: Greg Espergen <br />.. Centennial Bldg. <br />"'-'f3 Shennan St. <br />Denver CO 80203 <br /> <br />RECEIVED <br /> <br />MAR 2 2 1999 <br /> <br />Colcrado Water <br />Ccnservation Soard <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Espergen, <br /> <br />I live in Mountainside in Frisco, CO. Our home is located next to and around bodies of water fed by Miners Creek. <br />Weare very concerned that the Town of Breckenridge is trying to get water rights to divert part of Miner's Creek. <br /> <br />Miner's Creek is a beautiful, year round flowing stream that runs down through Frisco and into Lake Dillon. Brook <br />trout spawn in the stream in the fall and it feeds two bodies of water, Rainbow Lake and Bill's Ranch Lake, as well as <br />beaver ponds and wetlands. Rainbow Lake is a short hike from Frisco, yet having the undisturbed natural beauty that <br />Colorado is famous for. It's a highlight for visitors and locals alike. The creek also runs along a large portion of the <br />Peaks Trail as well as Miner's Creek Road. The Peaks Trail is probably the most popular biking/hiking/cross country <br />skiing trail between Breckenridge and Frisco. The trail is popular in part because of the beauty of Miner's Creek. <br /> <br />The Breckenridge proposal would do a number of negative things. If even a portion of the water is diverted, it could <br />mean that Miner's Creek would dry up completely in the low-water months of August and September. <br />Also, it could mean that Rainbow Lake, Bill's Ranch Lake, and surrounding wetlands and beaver ponds would dry up <br />as well. No one can ever remember that happening in our lifetimes. By changing the flow rate of the creek, the <br />mineral content and/or chemical makeup of the water is also altered, which could affect spawning trout. Not to <br />mention, if the creek is dry, there will be no s'pawning trout. All native vegetation and wildlife in the wetland areas <br />.ld be altered if the level 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 reservation <br />of natural beauty is a priority, should the town of Breckenridge be allowed to take water away <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 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. Miner's Creek is a Colorado treasure. <br />Please help even the developers see the error of their ways and help preserve another piece of beautiful Colorado! <br /> <br />Sincerely Yours, <br /> <br />Art Burger <br />922 Hunter Circle <br />PO Box 2576 <br />Frisco, CO 80443 <br /> <br />. <br />