Laserfiche WebLink
<br />", <br />" <br /> <br />-' <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />4) The mid-90's trout die-off in Beaver Creek in no way was tied to low water flows that an instream <br />flow would have prevented. Although the reason for the die-off is unknown all theories are <br />unrelated to water flows and therefore instream flows would not further protect trout beyond what <br />the DOW and USFWS water rights already protect. <br />5) Protection for trout habitat exists under the existing State Wildlife Area. Instream flows do not <br />accomplish further protection of trout populations or habitat. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Little Cottonwood Creek above Freeman Reservoir: <br /> <br />I) Little Cottonwood Creek above Freeman Reservoir typically flows between April and June of each year <br />and dry the remainder. Discussions with CWCB staff indicate their desire to assign a seasonal adjudication <br />during wet periods. We do not support adjudicating seasonal flows without data suggesting seasonal flows <br />will protect trout habitat in otherwise dry creeks. <br /> <br />2) The Blue-headed Sucker, Round-tailed Chub, and Flannel Mouth have survived for generations without <br />inslream flows in Little Cottonwood Creek. No evidence exists that the hydrology, habitat, nor land use <br />characteristics of Little Cottonwood Creek above Freeman Reservoir will change, especially since it is <br />under US Forest Service management. <br /> <br />3) As water becomes more precious and storage of that water becomes increasingly important, it is <br />imperative that the ability to expand Freeman Reservoir be maintained. An instream flow above Freeman <br />Reservoir prevents possible expansion of Freeman Reservoir, which would likely inundate greater than 50 <br />foot of the proposed inslream flow. <br /> <br />Moffat County requests the CWCB not accept the proposals for instream flow adjudications on Beaver <br />Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek for the above listed reasons. If the CWCB is unwilling to deny these <br />proposals, we request affected interests and water right owners be given the opportunity to review the <br />proposals and accompanying data before a decision is made. To date, no data other than the limited maps <br />provided in the Candidate Streams for Instream Flow Appropriations Division 6, has been made available. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Darryl Steele, Chairman <br /> <br />;;:;Z;-~-<b ~ <br /> <br />/~-.Po - dS <br /> <br />. <br />