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COLORADO l~l ~~:~~&~S.~E!~.~~!~A~"~~~~ DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES r1 DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES r] Agencies partner to build native aquatic species hatchery. The Division of Wildlife (DOW) and Colorado Water Conservation Board are building a native aquatic species restoration facility in the San Luis Valley, which will be one of the nation's first hatcheries designed and built solely for the production and protection of native aquatic species, There are 54 fish species, 13 amphibians and 37 mollusks native to Colorado. Of these, 52 percent of the fish, 100 per- cent of the amphibians and 3 percent of the mollusks are listed as endangered or threatened or as species of special concern. The $4.5 million facility will be built Qn a 760-acre site southwest of Alamosa formerly known as Chiles Farm, The site has been renamed the Playa Blanca State Wildlife Area, "Initially, 16 sites were considered as potential candidates," said Colorado Wildlife Commissioner Arnold Salazar. "This property in the San Luis Valley was chosen largely because of the availability of quality water derived from wells, which pro- vide a disease-free, unpolluted source." The goal of the native species hatchery is to provide a means for aiding the recovery of declining species and help pre- serve and restore viable populations. "This facility is part of the DOW's proactive approach in reversing the decline of native species," said State Aquatic Wildlife Manager Eddie Kochman. "Certain fish and amphib- ian species observed in many Colorado streams, rivers and lakes are declining, and we want to work with these species before it's too late." DOW managers anticipate construction of the facility to begin in summer 1999 and for species to be brought to the facil- ity in spring 2000. Agreement improves coordination between water administration and wildlife protection. An agreement among the Division of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Wildlife and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) has succeeded in improving coordination among the three agencies t<;> minimize adverse impacts to aquatic ecosystems due to water management activities, In April 1997, the agencies signed an interim memorandum of understanding (MOD), which outlined procedures for com- munications and coordination when unusual, irregular or extra- ordinary water management activities (such as draining reser- voirs for repairs) might affect fisheries or water quality. Goals of the agreement included improving communica- tions among the agencies and with water users and other stake- holders to identify problems and voluntary water management option - such as controlling the rate that water is released or diluting the concentration of sediments with clean water -that would avoid or minimize impacts to aquatic ecosystems, The interim MOD was revised into a final agreement in March 1998 after a progress review demonstrated the success of the interim agreement. Success stories included: Clear Creek Reservoir: The City of Pueblo worked closely with the three MOD agencies and with Colorado State Parks on a plan last summer to drain the reservoir, which is on the Arkansas River upstream from Buena Vista, for repairs. A full-time caretaker was hired to moni- tor turbidity during the six-week, gradual drawdown, which was timed to benefit the rafting industry and to avoid harm to trout during spawning season, Two Buttes Reservoir: Two Buttes Reservoir in Baca County was lowered in August 1997 because of dam safety concerns. The release of 1,000 acre feet of water could have carried sediment into Two Buttes Creek and some local ponds, both of which have significant wildlife values. However, the DOW and DWR devised a plan for using existing ditch systems to catch the release and its sediment load. Strontia Springs Reservoir: The Buffalo Creek fire has caused high levels of sediment to move into Strontia Springs Reservoir in Douglas and Jefferson counties. Reservoir owner Denver Water Board has been working on short- and long-term plans to release sediment and mini- mize impacts on the South Platte River. Under the aus- pices of the MOU, a meeting was held to educate MOD agencies about Denver's efforts. An outcome of the meet- ing was bringing the Chatfield Basin Association into the planning effort to integrate concerns about water quality standards for phosphorus in Chatfield Reservoir, Because solutions usually require voluntary participation by private water users, the agencies encountered one situation in which the solutions they identified were not implemented. However, Assistant State Engineer Jack Byers reports, "Overall, the MOD process is working and is helping find solu- tions to releases from dams and water management activities that may adversely impact water quality and wildlife."