Agenda

Maryanne Bach, Governance Committee (GC) Chair, called a brief GC business meeting to order and noted the only agenda items were discussion and approval of proposed interim mitigation measures to offset the impacts to target species of new depletions to the South Platte River basin in Colorado associated with activities that may need Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 compliance during the Cooperative Agreement period and the Cooperative Agreement Extension Document.

Colorado provided a written description of the interim mitigation measures for new depletions in the South Platte River basin in Colorado for consideration by the GC. Don Ament moved to accept the description and Duane Hovorka seconded the motion. The GC discussed the language and made editorial changes. The language as modified (see below) was unanimously approved.

Interim Mitigation Measures
NEW DEPLETIONS - SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN IN COLORADO

1.                  The following interim mitigation measures will offset the impacts to target species of up to 13,650 annual acre-feet of new depletions to the South Platte River basin in Colorado associated with activities that may need ESA Section 7 compliance prior to establishment of the Platte Program:

A.         Water Measures.

Approximately 5,800 acre-feet per year of non-native accretions to the Platte River basin are attributable to increased population growth and water usage in the South Platte basin in Colorado from 1998 - 2002. This estimate does not include accretions from the use of non-tributary ground water supplies nor from operation of Denver Water's Moffat system.

In addition, approximately 9,000 acre-feet of non-native lawn irrigation return flows will not be leased or otherwise committed for consumptive reuse during the pendency of the interim mitigation measures.

B.         Land Measures.

Implementation of habitat restoration and improvement measures on approximately 14 acres of land, through the provision of in-kind land treatment services on such property or the funding of such measures in an amount not to exceed $.51 per acre foot of new depletion, up to a total of $7,000.

2.                  These measures will be available on an interim basis only for ESA compliance purposes during the period of the extended Cooperative Agreement. Upon commencement of the Program, new depletions will be covered pursuant to Colorado's Future Depletions Plan in lieu of the above interim mitigation measures. Contribution attributable to land measures described above will be credited to Colorado's obligations under the First Increment of the Program⁽¹⁾.

The GC worked on language in the Cooperative Agreement Extension Document describing Colorado's interim mitigation measures. The modified Extension Document was approved by consensus.

Adjourn

The GC business meeting was adjourned.