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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />recommendations from the public and in collaboration with State, Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and <br />Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (CDPOR), and Federal, Bureau of Land Management <br />(BLM), staff highlighted several streams and lakes to be considered for field data collection in 2003. <br />The workshop provided participants an opportunity to comment directly to members ofthe Board, <br />Staff and representatives of the CDOW and BLM on the proposed 2003 field data collection plan. <br /> <br />CWCB staff along with representatives from the CDOW and BLM discussed the streams and lakes <br />highlighted for each Water Division. The majority of the discussion at the workshop centered on <br />streams proposed in Water Division 7, with added emphasis on the Pine (a.k.a, Los Pinos) River. Staff <br />has received numerous letters both for and against proceeding with an instream flow investigation on <br />the Pine River. Steve Harris, representing the Pine River Irrigation District (pRID), requested the <br />CWCB begin discussions with PRID and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (SUIT), regarding a plan to <br />protect designated releases from Vallecito Reservoir, in lieu of filing for a standard new instream flow <br />appropriation below the reservoir. <br /> <br />Staff agreed to work with all parties towards development of a plan for stream flow protection for the <br />Pine River. This plan will include an investigation/development of a potential acquisition which <br />would provide for stream flow protection at a level equal to or greater than a standard new instream <br />flow appropriation and would allow PRID and SUIT more flexibility in their day-to-day operations. If <br />successful, this acquisition could be in lieu of a new appropriation. All parties agreed additional field <br />data is required and the CDOW should begin collecting the required data this year but the CWCB <br />would not move forward with any new appropriations in Water Division 7 until 2005. This tracks with <br />the long-range plan identified by CWCB staff in last year's field data collection plan. Staff also agreed <br />to keep all parties, including the Southwest Water Conservancy District, informed regarding the <br />instream flow work being conducted in Water Division 7. <br /> <br />Selection of Streams and Lakes for Protection <br /> <br />The Program is continuing to work with other State and Federal agencies, local communities, cities, <br />local environmental groups and other interested parties to address the many complex and challenging <br />issues regarding instream flow protection. The Program will likely continue to address important <br />emerging issues such as water requirements for declining, threatened and/or endangered species, <br />identifying methods for determining instream flow needs for non-fisheries, and the correlation of <br />mankind's need for future economic growth and development with reasonable preservation of the <br />natural environment. However, with current staff and resource constraints, staff cannot process every <br />recommendation that is brought forth. Therefore, it is critical that staff prioritize instream flow and <br />natural lake level appropriation activities. <br /> <br />A work plan identifying approximately 100 stream segments and natural lakes for possible data <br />collection in 2003 has been developed by the CWCB staff. By identifying these streams and natural <br />lakes for possible data collection efforts, staff will have the flexibility needed to adjust work schedules <br />to account for unforeseen or unfavorable data collection conditions, which may occur in a specific <br />water division or watershed, <br /> <br />Streams and lakes are identified for instream flow or natural lake level water right protection for many <br />different reasons. The CDOW's philosophy on setting priorities comes from the agency's Mission <br />Statement and Long Range Plan. Guidance for those priorities also comes from other CDOW <br />documents and programs such as the Wetland Initiative, Colorado Landscapes Legacy Project, the <br />CDOW Real Estate Plan and various species recovery/conservation plans. The CDPOR has requested <br />that its water resources be protected with instream flow water rights, following surveys, which indicate <br />its customers have a better park experience along trails with water amenities. Water amenities increase <br />the use of the area, resulting in increased Park revenues, allowing the CDPOR to protect exiting and <br />acquire additional amenities, which ultimately improves the public's recreational experience. <br /> <br />13 <br />