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the approval is one year, but the applicant may obtain up to two subsequent one year approvals <br /> without giving notice and without applying for a new SWSP. <br /> Under section 37-60-133, C.R.S., the Colorado Water Conservation Board ("Board")is required <br /> to develop Criteria and Guidelines for the establishment of an agricultural water protection <br /> program ("AWPP")in Division 1 and 2 pursuant to section 37-92-305(19)(b)(IV)(B), C.R.S. <br /> The purpose of an AWPP as stated in section 37-60-133(1)(a), C.R.S., is to assure sufficient <br /> protection and monitoring of AWPWRs pursuant to section 37-92-305(19)(b)(III), C.R.S., as an <br /> alternative to participation in a federal, state, or local conservation program for the purposes of <br /> monitoring AWPWRs under section 37-92-305(19)(b)(IV)(A), C.R.S. <br /> The AWPP will be proposed by and sponsored by a local entity responsible for monitoring <br /> AWPWRs within its jurisdiction which are voluntarily enrolled in its program. The AWPP must <br /> be approved by the Board and provide annual monitoring and reporting sufficient to ensure that <br /> at least 50% of the historical consumptive use portion of each AWPWR enrolled in its program <br /> is still being used for agricultural purposes on the property for which it was historically decreed. <br /> Purpose <br /> The water associated with the historical use of the AWPWR that is not leased, loaned, or traded <br /> must continue to be used for agricultural purposes. To ensure that the non-leased water <br /> continues to be used for agricultural purposes, the owner of the AWPWR is required to <br /> participate in either an established federal, state, or local conservation program (defined in <br /> section 37-92-305(19)(b)(IV)(A), C.R.S.), or an AWPP as envisioned by the bill. The purpose of <br /> these Criteria and Guidelines is to create a standard for applications for AWPPs as identified in <br /> section 37-92-305(19)(b)(IV)(B), C.R.S. to ensure compliance with section 37-92- <br /> 305(19)(b)(III), C.R.S.. The Board developed these Criteria and Guidelines in consultation with <br /> the State Engineer and a technical advisory group and after seeking input from the public. <br /> II. SCOPE OF THE CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES <br /> The provision in the bill that the Criteria and Guidelines are to "assure sufficient protection and <br /> monitoring of agricultural water protection water rights pursuant to section 37-92- <br /> 305(19)(b)(III), C.R.S.," is to ensure that the non-leased water continues to be used for <br /> agricultural purposes. More specifically, section 37-92-305(19)(b)(IV), C.R.S. states: <br /> "The owner of the agricultural water protection water right is required to participate in <br /> one or more of the following programs: <br /> As established by the federal government, the state, a subdivision of the state, or a <br /> nonprofit organization, conservation programs that conserve the land historically served <br /> by the irrigation water right, which programs include Colorado's Conservation <br /> Easement Program established in Article 30.5 of Title 38 C.R.S., the United States Fish <br /> and Wildlife Service Easement Program, The Natural Resources Conservation Services <br /> Easement Program, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife Easement Program, and <br /> a county open space easement program: or <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />