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water. Reality implies that, in order to conserve wetlands, water will be necessary. The DOW is putting forth a major effort, in the context of the WI, to address this need and is working with the State Water Engineer and water interests. Most definitely the WI will ,comply with Colorado Water Law while conserving wetlands. 7) How many communities and how :tnany people will the project serve:? One of the most striking features oft~e WI is the scope of the project - statewide. The WI will serve most communities in Colorado that have wetlands within them or near them. As with other aspects of the WI, some benefits will be direct and some indirect. Many communities will directly benefit from the WI; e.g., they will be: served by the open space, or from the enhancement of quality of life that results from having wetlands in proximity. Some communities will benefit indirectly from the tourism that wetlands and associated wildlife attra(:t - such as wetlands within the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge. 8) Does the project meet outdoor recreation/open space needs of under-served populations? N/A 9) Will youth be involved in WI implementation or stewardship? It is likely that, because of the numerous environmental education opportunities the WI will provide, youth will become involved, Therefore, it is very possible that youth will, on a case-by-case basis, become involved in implementation or a stewardship role. There is consideration being given to the idea of incorporating aspe:cts of the River Watch Program into the WI. For example, water quality monitoring at certain wetlands being done by the youth involved in the River Watch Program B. Consistency with Local/Regional Government. State alJd Federal ~..iency Plans and Policies 1) Have local, regional, or statewide plans or policies identified and addressed the need for the project, and/or specific elements of this project in the region? The need for conservation of the wetl;lIIlds resource of the state is well documented by many agencies, non-governmental organizations and special interest groups. As noted earlier, this need is documented in the DOW's Long Rllllge Plan, which involved numerous publics when it was developed. 1bi:s need is also documented in the State PMks 5- Y ear Horizon Plan, The North American Waterfowl Management PUIIl focuses on the need to consenm wetlands. The Colorado Conservation Plan authored by Ducks Unlimited (DU) is a "Strategy for Restoring and Protecting Colorado's Wetland Resources". MallY counties in the state have expre:ssed the need to conserve wetlands in their county. Specific documentation ofthi:s nl:ed exists; for example, the need for conservation of wetlands in A Conservation Vision for Ball' Lake Paris. The EPA in Colorado 13