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<br />Cl <br /> <br />,.' <br /> <br />The Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIP RAP) <br /> <br />,~ <br />~.. <br />C":l This document has been developed provide an operational plan for implementing the Recovery <br />00 Program, including dcvelopment of the annual work plan and future budget needs. The RlPRAP <br />identifies feasible actions necessary to recover the endangered fishes including schedules and <br />budgets for these activities. It also specifies those recovery actions which must be accomplished <br />in order for the Recovery Program to serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative to depletion <br />impacts of new and existing water projects. This document is an adaptive management plan, as <br />modifications to RIPRAP will be made annually according to changes in priorities, results of <br />ongoing research efforts and further development of compact entitlements. <br /> <br />The Colorado Water Conservation Board (Board) is involved in, or h,ls responsibility for <br />numerous water-related activities identified in the RlPRAP. The primary goal of these activities <br />is the acquisition and appropriation of water rights for the endangered fishes. The tasks identified <br />in the RIPRAP must be complcted on schedule in order to maximize the ability of the Service <br />to continue its reliance upon sufficient progress under the Recovery Program for meeting <br />regulatory requirements in detennining whether or not to allow further water developments. <br /> <br />In accordance with state law, C,R,S. 37-92-102(3) which created the lnstream FlowlNatural Lake <br />Level Program, the Board is responsible for the review, approval and subsequent appropriation, <br />acquisition and protection of instream flow water rights in Colorado. Currently, the Board has <br />approved the Service's flow recommendation study on the 15-Mile Reach for the July-September <br />period, Board staff is now evaluating two other flow studies, the 15-MiIe Reach for the October- <br />June period and the Yampa River, for technical adequacy in appropriating, acquiring and/or <br />legally protecting the instream flow needs of the fishes. <br /> <br />In cooperating with the Recovery Program objectives, the Board has adopted specific polices and <br />procedures regarding the appropriation of instream flows, The "Statement of Policy and <br />Procedure Regarding the Appropriation ofInstream Flows for the Recovery of Endangered Fishes <br />in the Upper Colorado River Basin" (Policy) was adopted at the March 8-9, 1994 Board Meeting. <br />It outlines the procedure under which the Board would appropriate and protect instream flows <br />for endangered fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The key points of the are as follows: <br /> <br />a) Flow recommendations prepared by the Service will provide the starting point for <br />determining the size and structure of the Board's fish recovery instream flow water rights. <br />b) The flow recommendations will be reviewed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />(Division) and Board staff. <br />c) The flow recommendations, based on biological and scientific basis, will be presented to <br />the Board by the staff for acceptance. <br />d) The Board staff will conduct hydrological studies on the physical and legal availability <br />of water and present its recommendations for endangered fish recovery flows in <br />Preliminary and Final Notices pursuant to the Board's Instream Flow Rules. <br /> <br />3 <br />