Report on the Shoshone Water Rights Acquisition and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Proposal Overview

A proposal is under review by Colorado water officials concerning the acquisition of two significant water rights on the Colorado River. The initiative, led by the Colorado River District, involves a $99 million agreement with Xcel Energy to purchase water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant. The central objective is to repurpose these rights for environmental benefit, specifically to establish a permanent in-stream flow. This action directly supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by prioritizing ecosystem health.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The proposal aims to protect and restore a water-related ecosystem, directly aligning with Target 6.6.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: By ensuring sufficient water remains in the river, the initiative promotes the conservation and sustainable use of inland freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity, as outlined in Target 15.1.

2.0 Stakeholder Positions and Collaborative Governance (SDG 17)

The proposal has generated significant input from various stakeholders, illustrating the complex partnerships required to achieve sustainable water management. This multi-stakeholder engagement is a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Proponents: The Colorado River District and a broad coalition of Western Slope entities support the acquisition to secure permanent river flows, thereby enhancing water security and ecological resilience. Over 200 members of the public have also voiced support.
2. Concerned Parties: Front Range water providers, including Aurora Water, Denver Water, and Colorado Springs Utilities, have expressed concerns. While supporting the environmental goals, they worry about potential negative impacts on water supplies essential for millions of residents, highlighting the tension between SDG 6 (Water for Ecosystems) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
3. Regulatory Body: The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is the state agency responsible for approving the in-stream flow designation. Its decision will weigh environmental benefits against existing water rights and uses.

3.0 Environmental Impact and Biodiversity Conservation (SDG 14 & SDG 15)

The primary justification for the water rights acquisition is the significant positive impact on the aquatic environment of the Colorado River’s 2.4-mile Shoshone reach. Current operations can dewater this section, severely impacting life below water.

3.1 Current Environmental Stressors

• Habitat Degradation: When the power plant diverts up to 1,408 cubic feet per second (cfs), the river channel narrows, concentrating fish into smaller areas. This increases stress, disease transmission, and vulnerability to predation.
• Threats to Native Species: The reach is a habitat for native fish, including the bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, and roundtail chub. Their range has already declined by 50%, and low-flow conditions threaten their ability to migrate and reproduce, undermining efforts related to SDG 15.5 (protecting threatened species).
• Water Quality Issues: Low flows exacerbate temperature increases from natural hot springs and summer heat, creating conditions that can be lethal to fish. Winter ice formation in low-flow conditions also destroys habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates.

3.2 Projected Environmental Benefits

Establishing a permanent in-stream flow right would contribute directly to the restoration of the aquatic ecosystem.

• Ecosystem Restoration (SDG 6.6): Guaranteeing a minimum flow will restore habitat complexity, allowing fish and other aquatic life to thrive.
• Biodiversity Protection (SDG 14 & SDG 15): Improved conditions will support populations of both native and recreational fish species, helping to halt biodiversity loss in this critical freshwater ecosystem.
• Enhanced Resilience: A healthier, more robust river system will be more resilient to the impacts of climate change, a cross-cutting theme of the SDGs.

4.0 Decision-Making Framework

The Colorado Water Conservation Board is tasked with deciding whether to acquire the water rights for its Instream Flow Program. The decision-making process is multifaceted.

1. Review of Evidence: The board will consider approximately 5,100 pages of documents submitted by stakeholders.
2. Public Hearing: A two-day hearing is scheduled to allow for public and stakeholder input.
3. Legal Process: If the board approves the acquisition, the change in use must be finalized through a multiyear water court process, which allows other water users to ensure their rights are not negatively impacted.
4. Balancing Competing Interests: The final outcome will represent a critical balance between environmental protection (SDG 6, 14, 15), urban water needs (SDG 11), and the operation of clean energy infrastructure (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • The entire article revolves around the management of water resources in the Colorado River. The central issue is the proposal to use water rights to maintain “in-stream flow,” which is directly related to the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article explicitly details the environmental motivation for the proposal, which is to protect and restore the “aquatic ecosystem” of the river. It discusses the negative impacts of low water flow on fish species, macroinvertebrates, and the overall health of the freshwater ecosystem, which falls under the protection of inland ecosystems in SDG 15.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The water rights in question are tied to the Shoshone Power Plant, a “hydropower plant.” The discussion involves balancing the plant’s water use for clean energy generation against the environmental needs of the river, linking the issue to the sustainable management of renewable energy sources.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights a complex multi-stakeholder process. It involves a public-private partnership (Colorado River District and Xcel Energy), government agencies (Colorado Water Conservation Board), coalitions of water districts, and public participation (“more than 200 members of the public voiced support”). This collaboration is a core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The article describes a clear effort to manage the Colorado River’s water resources in an integrated way, considering environmental needs (in-stream flows), energy production (hydropower), and the water supplies for “homes, businesses and farms” across different regions (Western Slope and Front Range). The negotiation and decision-making process involving multiple water districts and a state board is a direct example of implementing integrated water management.
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. The primary goal of the proposal is to add an “environmental use, called an in-stream flow right” to keep water in the river specifically “to help the aquatic ecosystem.” This directly aligns with the target of protecting and restoring river ecosystems.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The article’s focus is on maintaining river flows to support the “health of the river ecosystem” in a “2.4-mile stretch.” This action is a direct effort to conserve and restore an inland freshwater ecosystem.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The article notes that the habitat for three native fish species (bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, and roundtail chub) “is threatened when streamflows change” and that their “range has declined by 50%.” The proposal to increase flows is an action aimed at reducing the degradation of their habitat and protecting these species.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. While the article’s focus is on the environmental impact, the context is the operation of a “small, aging hydropower plant.” The entire negotiation is about the water rights associated with this clean energy source, reflecting the complexities of integrating renewable energy production with other sustainable development needs like ecosystem protection.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article describes a partnership model in action: the Colorado River District (a public entity) entering a “$99 million agreement with Xcel Energy” (a private company), supported by a “broad Western Slope coalition” and extensive public input (“filed about 5,100 pages of documents”). This collaboration is a textbook example of a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Water Flow Rate: The article frequently uses cubic feet per second (cfs) as a unit of measurement for water flow. Specific figures like “1,250 cubic feet per second,” “158 cfs,” and the plant’s total capacity of “1,408 cfs” are mentioned. This is a direct, quantifiable indicator for measuring the implementation of in-stream flow rights (relevant to Targets 6.5, 6.6, and 15.1).
• Fish Population Density: The article provides a specific metric from a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) study: “CPW found 300 fish per acre in the Shoshone reach when the power plant was diverting water.” This serves as a baseline indicator to measure the impact of increased flows on the aquatic ecosystem’s health (relevant to Target 15.5).
• Geographic Range of Native Species: The article states that the range of three native fish species “has declined by 50%.” Monitoring the change in this percentage over time would be an indicator of progress in halting biodiversity loss and restoring habitats (relevant to Target 15.5).
• Length of Restored River Ecosystem: The article identifies a specific “2.4-mile stretch, called the Shoshone reach,” that is negatively affected by water diversion. This length serves as a spatial indicator for the area targeted for ecosystem restoration (relevant to Target 15.1).
• Level of Stakeholder Engagement: The article mentions that the public “filed about 5,100 pages of documents” and “more than 200 members of the public voiced support.” These numbers can be used as indicators of the level of public participation and stakeholder engagement in the decision-making process (relevant to Target 17.17).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coloradosun.com