Water Policy Subcommittee 



Survey of Lessors 



Page 6 



None of the respondents indicated that the leasing program should be limited to 20 stream 

 reaches. Three of the lessors felt that it should be allowed on any stream reach as long as the 

 other requirements of the law were met. Two suggested that it be allowed on streams that met 

 certain criteria (i.e., dewatered, presence of threatened or endangered species). The remaining 

 two respondents indicated that leasing should be allowed on a larger scale but did not provide 

 specific criteria. Additional comments: 



o The streams are probably chosen on the basis of fisheries. However, there is lots 



of agricultural water that is wasted and we should try to save it. Could provide 

 income to people who are on the edge if they have good early water rights. 



o Personally, I see no hazard in allowing it anywhere. People are concerned that 



FWP will dominate the river. FWP isn 't going to dominate the river with the 

 current law. 



o The state budget should be the only limit. 



There is another law that allows private parties to temporarily lease water rights. How do 

 you feel about this option? Do you think it is valuable to have a separate program for FWP 

 and private parties? 



Only five of the respondents had time to answer this question. Four out of the five who 

 answered the question supported the idea of private parties leasing water rights. Of these, two 

 felt that there should be separate programs for FWP and for private parties and the other two felt 

 the programs should be combined under one umbrella. One of those who supported separate 

 programs provided the rationale that FWP must operate vmder certain laws regarding 

 procurement, etc. and that private parties should not be subject to those laws. Specific 

 comments: 



O Nervous about private party leasing. Concerned that some people with a lot of 



money may not be as benevolent as FWP and may not be looking out for the 

 rancher. 



o Leasing by private parties should be coordinated through FWP. It could work 



like a conservation easement where a private party acquires a water lease and 

 transfers it to FWP. 



Do you have any thoughts about water leasing in general that you wish to share with the 

 EQC? 



c-n 



