BOARD02211

• Board Meeting Date: 7/20/2004
• Description: WSP Section - Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, State of CO Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

To:

Colorado ~tf ~ion Board
Rick BrOmOJect Manager, Interstate Stream Protection

Russell George
Executive Director

From:

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Date:

July 2,2004

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Subject:

Agenda Item 16, July 20-21,2004 Board Meeting, Platte River Recover
Implementation Program, State of Colorado Comments on the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement.

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I. Introduction

In 1997 the Governors ofthe states of Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming signed an agreement with
the Department ofInterior to improve and/or study the habitat of four endangered species in the
Central Platte River in Nebraska, This Cooperative Agreement was extended through June 2005 to
allow additional time to formulate a proposed program and complete National Environmental Policy
Act (NEP A) activities. The proposed program has three components: water, land, and monitoring
and research. Colorado's total cash and cash equivalent share is 15 million dollars and 27 KAF of
water via the Tamarack Plan. Significant budget issues remain unresolved and Colorado's share
could increase substantially. Issues also persist regarding Colorado's future depletions plan.

II. Draft Environmental Impact Statement

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that describes and analyzes the proposed program
and a range of alternatives to the proposed program was released in December 2003. Comments on
the DEIS are due August 20.

Staff has reviewed the DEIS and has prepared comments for review and approval of the Board. The
comments are attached to this memorandum.

III. Recommendation

Staff recommends approval ofthe comments for submission to the Platte River EIS Office.

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning