WSP04977

• File Number: 8543.400
• Description: Projects in the Closed Basin Division - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 3/1/1985
• Title: Draft Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

in-kind habitat value. Habitat losses were anticipated from construction of

the conveyance channel (5,026 acres) and water-table drawdown because of project

pumping (3,434 acres). Replacement of the 8,460 acres of wetlands and wetland

habitat affected by project construction and operation will be accomplished

(in part) by the proposed additional supply of 5,300 acre-feet of water to the

Refuge.

Of the 5,300 acre-feet of water for habitat improvement on the Refuge,

800 acre-feet of water was originally slated for acquisition by transfer of

water rights from the Betty Emperious Estate. The Emperious Estate consists

of lands identified in the project development process as having water rights

deemed suitable for use in the project mitigation plan. This land has been

purchased by Reclamation and is located approximately 10 miles east of Alamosa

and 1 to 2 miles north of u.s. Highway 160.

Correspondence dated October 23, 1984, from the Colorado State Engineer dis-

allowed the original proposed plan of transferring a total of 800 acre-feet

from existing wells purchased with the Emperious Estate for use by the pr~ject.

Approval from the State Engineer was received to transfer only 163 acre-feet of

water, which is 637 acre-feet short of the required 800 acre-feet. The basis

for allowing only 163 acre-feet for transfer was historic beneficial consumptive

information as described in the State Engineer's letter.

Since the 163 acre-feet of water right on the Emperious tract would not meet

the mitigation commitments, an alternative plan is necessary. It is anticipated

that the Emperious lands may be declared surplus if not needed for project

development.

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