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Public Land Exchange Challenged to Ensure Living Rio Grande

Date
December 1, 2015
Contact
Jen Pelz 303-884-2702
In This Release
Rivers  
#RethinkRivers, #ReviveTheRio, #WildlandsForWildlife
DEL NORTE, CO—WildEarth Guardians and Western Lands Project submitted an objection challenging the proposed exchange of public lands and reservoir rehabilitation project at Rio Grande Reservoir in Hinsdale County that threatens to dewater the Rio Grande and harm fish, wildlife and wetlands.

The purpose of the exchange of public lands is to provide the San Luis Valley Irrigation District with long-term access to Rio Grande National Forest lands around the dam for future rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the reservoir. The objection calls into question the Forest Service’s determination that there will be “no negative impacts” to water resources or fish and wildlife and calls for mitigation to address loss of river flows that will harm the downstream ecosystem.

“The Forest Service’s internal communications show it was well aware that repairing the dam could dry up the Rio Grande at times,” said Christopher Krupp, attorney at Western Lands Project. “The agency failed its responsibility to inform the public of the significant negative impacts to fish and wildlife if this were to happen. Our objection gives the Forest Service another opportunity to evaluate those impacts.”

The Rio Grande Reservoir currently leaks a significant amount of water(2500 gallons per minute) into the river channel below the dam. This water currently nourishes the river, adjacent wetlands and fish and wildlife downstream. In addition to the seepage from Rio Grande Reservoir, there are at least three other dam rehabilitation projects in the area that once completed will reduce down stream river flows (by eliminating seepage and allowing for additional storage).

“The Rio Grande is suffering from death by a thousands cuts,” said Jen Pelz, the wild rivers program director at Wild Earth Guardians. “This project can either serve to add stress to an already imperiled river or can be implemented in a way that recognizes and ensures maintenance of a healthy river.”

This water project may be the first to be implemented after passage of the landmark Colorado Water Plan in November. While the plan articulates a“balanced” approach to combating future water challenges, the utility of the plan will be judged by how it is implemented.

“This is the perfect project to start implementing the goals of the Colorado Water Plan,” added Pelz. “A better understanding of the consequences of the reservoir rehabilitation and re operation on river flows is necessary along with concrete commitments by the Forest Service and the District to ensure not only water users are protected, but that the wetlands,wildlife and a living river are sustained.”