BOARD02081

• Board Meeting Date: 1/19/1994
• Description: Agenda, Minutes, Memos
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

STATE OF COLORADO
Roy Romer, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

DIVISION OF WilDLIFE

REFER TO

AN EaUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Perry D. Olson, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: [phone]

MEMORANDU

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For Wild/ife-
For People

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TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board

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FROM:

Eddie Kochman, State Aquatic Wildlife Manager

DATE:

January 4, 1994

SUBJECT: JANUARY BOARD MEETING REPORT

Buena Vista Hatcherv

Since the November Board meeting a number of very significant actions have occurred regarding
the Buena vista Hatchery project. At the November meeting the Board tabled any further action
on the Division's request for a modification of the 20 cubic feet/second instream flow pending
further data collection and discussions with 10Clll interests who oppose the modification. The
Division did participate in separate meetings with local interests, State Representative Ken
Chlouber; Department of Corrections (DOC) ; Capital Development Committee; and Chuck Lile.
The attached letter from Perry Olson (12-29-93) to Bill and Lee Rooks, who are ranchers that
divert out of Cottonwood Creek, relates what has occurred and describes a process by which the
various wateradrninistration issues may be resolved. Basically, the issue of a flow modification
has escalated into one of water rights administration on Cottonwood Creek.

The current objective is to implement a conflict resolution process which satisfies the concerns
of the ranchers and other users, protects the water interests of the DOC, allows full construction
of the hatchery and maintains the aquatic ecosystem in Cottonwood Creek. This represents a
very difficult challenge, but one that must be undertaken. The process must involve the
Colorado Water Conservation Board; State Engineers Office; Division of Wildlife; Upper
Arkansas Water Conservancy District; Buena Vista; Department of Corrections; Chaffee County;
Johnson's Village; and others.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Kenneth L. Salazar. Executive Director
WilDLIFE COMMISSION, Thomas M. Eve, Cheirman . louis F. Swift, Vice.Chairman . Arnold Salazar, Secretary
Jesse Langston Boyd, Jr" Member. Eldon W. Cooper, Member' Rebecca L. Frank, Member
William R. Hegberg, Member' Mark leValley, Member

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