Shoshone Water Rights Acquisition Announced by Colorado Water Conservation Board – Ark Valley Voice

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

Executive Summary

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has approved a measure to advance the acquisition of two significant water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant on the Colorado River. This strategic initiative is a critical step towards ensuring permanent instream flow protection, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Strategic Acquisition for Sustainable Water Management

The acquisition focuses on securing one of the state’s most senior and substantial water rights on the Upper Colorado River Basin. This action is designed to provide durable solutions for water management, balancing diverse and competing demands on the river system.

Alignment with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The primary objective of securing these water rights for instream flow is to ensure the sustainable management of water resources. This directly contributes to the targets of SDG 6 by:

• Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems.
• Supporting integrated water resources management at all levels.
• Ensuring a reliable water supply for various downstream uses, thereby enhancing water security.

Supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land)

By guaranteeing permanent instream flows, the initiative provides critical protection for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This action supports the conservation and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity, a core component of SDG 14 and SDG 15. The protected flows are essential for the health and survival of:

1. Native fish populations.
2. Riparian wildlife.
3. The overall ecological integrity of the Colorado River Basin.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration and Community Resilience

The advancement of the Shoshone acquisition is the result of a coordinated, bipartisan effort involving multiple levels of government and various stakeholders, underscoring a commitment to collaborative governance for sustainable development.

Fostering SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

This initiative enhances water certainty for communities across Colorado, from the Western Slope to the Front Range. By balancing the needs of different sectors, it promotes sustainable community development as outlined in SDG 11. The protected flows will support:

• Hydropower generation.
• Agricultural irrigation.
• Environmental health.
• The recreation-based economy.

Demonstrating SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The project exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership, a key principle of SDG 17. Collaboration has been crucial to its progress, involving key actors such as:

• State Government: The Colorado Water Conservation Board, Governor Jared Polis, and Speaker Julie McCluskie.
• State Legislature: A bipartisan group of lawmakers spearheaded a $20 million state appropriation.
• Local Water Entities: The Colorado River District is a key partner in the purchase.
• Federal Government: U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is advocating for the release of approved federal funding.

Future Outlook and Call to Action

While state and local entities have committed $60 million, the project’s completion is contingent on the release of an additional $40 million in previously approved federal funding. Finalizing the acquisition is presented as a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure Colorado’s water future for subsequent generations.

Advancing SDG 13: Climate Action

Securing permanent river flows is a proactive measure for climate adaptation, contributing to the goals of SDG 13. By protecting the river system against the impacts of drought and increasing water scarcity, this action strengthens the resilience of both ecosystems and human communities in the face of climate change.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article on the Shoshone water rights acquisition addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on water resource management, ecosystem protection, clean energy, and collaborative governance.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most central SDG, as the article’s entire focus is on securing water rights to manage a critical freshwater resource, the Colorado River, for various needs including environmental flows, agriculture, and community use.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The initiative aims to provide “permanent instream flow protection,” which is crucial for the health of the river’s ecosystem, directly supporting “fish, and our wildlife” and “native species” that depend on this inland freshwater habitat.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The water rights are explicitly “associated with the Shoshone Power Plant,” a hydropower facility. Securing these rights ensures the continued operation of a renewable energy source.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article highlights the importance of the water rights for providing “Western Slope water users more certainty about our future water security,” which is fundamental for the resilience and sustainability of “mountain communities” and the “Front Range users.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The success of this initiative relies on a multi-stakeholder partnership involving the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), state lawmakers (“a bipartisan group”), and the federal government (“release the already-approved $40 million in federal funding”).
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: While primarily focused on marine ecosystems, this goal’s principles apply to the protection of aquatic life. The effort to protect “fish” and “native species” through instream flow directly relates to conserving aquatic biodiversity.

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

Based on the actions and objectives described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The article describes a coordinated effort by the CWCB, state legislature, and federal government to manage the Colorado River’s water rights, which is a clear example of integrated management to balance competing demands (“hydropower, environment, agriculture and recreation”).
  • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including rivers. The core objective of the acquisition is to secure “permanent instream flow protection,” a direct action aimed at protecting the Colorado River ecosystem.

• 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 project is a direct effort to conserve an inland freshwater ecosystem (the Colorado River) to support “fish, and our wildlife.”
  • 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. Protecting river flows is a critical action to prevent the degradation of aquatic habitats for “native species.”

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The water rights are tied to the “Shoshone Power Plant,” and securing them supports the continued generation of hydropower, a form of renewable energy.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. The article showcases a “bipartisan group of lawmakers” and multiple levels of government working together to achieve a common goal that balances environmental, social, and economic needs, demonstrating policy coherence.
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The collaboration between the state (CWCB, lawmakers), local entities (River District), and the federal government, backed by significant financial commitments, exemplifies an effective public partnership.

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

The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• For SDG 6 (Target 6.5 & 6.6)

  • Indicator (Implied): Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (related to official indicator 6.5.1). The article describes the process of implementation through the CWCB’s vote and the multi-level governmental collaboration to manage the water rights. Progress is measured by these official actions.
  • Indicator (Implied): Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems (related to official indicator 6.6.1). The primary action is securing “permanent instream flow protection.” The success of this can be measured by maintaining or improving the river’s flow rates, which in turn protects the ecosystem’s extent and health.

• For SDG 15 (Target 15.1 & 15.5)

  • Indicator (Implied): Proportion of inland freshwater sites important for biodiversity that are covered by protected areas. Securing water rights for “permanent instream flow protection” is a form of legal protection for a critical freshwater habitat.
  • Indicator (Implied): Status of populations of “fish,” “wildlife,” and “native species.” While not explicitly stated, a logical follow-up would be to monitor these populations to see if the protected flows are successfully halting habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.

• For SDG 17 (Target 17.17)

  • Indicator (Explicit): Amount of financial resources committed to the partnership. The article explicitly mentions the funding amounts: a “$20 million appropriation” from the state, “$60 million” from state and local sources, and a call for “$40 million in federal funding.” These figures serve as a direct indicator of the partnership’s scale and commitment.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: arkvalleyvoice.com