BOARD02108

• Board Meeting Date: 5/19/2003
• Description: ISF Section - Gunnison River New Appropriation Recommendation - Water Division 4 - Montrose & Delta Counties
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS

The executive summary report of technical data, contained in the Instream Flow Recommendation
Packet, forms the basis for the staffs recommendations,

Natural Environment Studies

The Department of the Interior (DI) has conducted field surveys of the natural environment
resoUrces on this reach of stream and has found a natural environment that can be preserved, To
quantifY the resources and to evaluate the instream flow requirements, the DI collected biologic and
hydraulic data, Based on the results of these analyses, the DI prepared a recommendation of the
amount of water necessary to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree for this reach
of stream,

Water A vailabilitv Studies

The Dr conducted an evaluation of water availability for the Guunison River, To determine the
amount of water physically available for the Board's appropriations, the Dr used a model that
included historical data and current operating conditions to establish that there is sufficient water
available for this instream flow appropriation, Based upon this analysis, the staff has concluded that
water is available for appropriation on the Guunison River to preserve the natural environment to a
reasonable degree without limiting or foreclosing the exercise of valid existing rights,

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

For the proposed Guunison River instream flow appropriation, staff recommends that the Board:

I) ModifY the schedule set forth in Rule 5,20, to the schedule set forth in the attached "Proposed
Schedule for the CWCB Appropriation of Guunison ISF" and affirm that Rules 5.51 - 5.56
(Procedural Rules for Contested ISF Appropriations) shall apply, with all deadlines changed
as set forth in the modified schedule; and
2) Declare its intent to appropriate the Guunison River rSF water right; and
3) Direct the Staff to publicly notice the Board's declaration of its intent to appropriate and mail
a copy of the Notice, within five working days, to the County Commissioners of Montrose
and Delta counties, pursuant to Rule 5,21; and
4) Appoint a Hearing Officer,

May _ 2003_ Agenda _Item~ 14_ v3.doc

Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing _ Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning