GMUG Instream Flow
Pathfinder Project
Public Meeting #3
May 30, 2002
6:30-9:00pm
Aspinall-Wilson Center,
Gunnison, CO
FLIP CHARTS NOTES
Due to small turnout, the meeting did not break-out into
small discussion groups for the second half of the meeting, instead having a
large group brainstorm session. The
following are some of the concerns noted.
Watershed Characterization
- Look
at water recharge provided by groundwater.
- Streambank
geomorphology and associated changes related to streamflow
- Dynamics
and change associated with properly functioning ecosystems should be
understood.
Important Ecological Issues
- Cutthroat
trout reaches.
- Review
the "candidate stream reaches map" for cutthroat trout
populations. Is this accurate?
- Consider
the special ecology provided by geothermal hot springs.
Important Human Uses
- Management
tools should be flexible to allow for population growth and increasing
demands in the future.
- Hot
springs/geothermal water
- Understand
what could be the influence of coal-bed methane development. Are there any special instream flow
management concerns related to the coal-bed methane development?
Unique stream segments of concern or conflict?
- Upper
Tomichi Creek - dam proposal.
Are there any potential streamflow management strategies
that we missed?
- Should
provide greater detail in future recommendations regarding the following:
n how
and where will these tools will be applied?
n how
much instream flow will these tools provide?
Any MAJOR CONCERNS regarding the management tools
proposed?
- Micro-management
of instream flow issues is not necessarily the answer. "If it's not broke, don't fix
it."
- Need a
better definition of "minimum" instream flows.
- Managements
strategies should provide a system of "checks and balances" to
avoid drastic changes in management under new administrations, etc.
- Management
strategies should account for the influence of natural fluctuations.
Meeting
adjourned 9:00 pm