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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />PREFACE <br /> <br />Since 1973 the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund has been a vital tool <br />in fostering and financing 112 water projects worth about $65,000,000. In 1992, after nearly <br />twenty years of experience with the fund, the Board recognized that water development needs <br />were changing; there were fewer storage projects being proposed while a significant increase in <br />the need for repair or rehabilitation of existing projects was evident. <br /> <br />Water development is a much more complex process than it was twenty years ago. There are <br />now burdensome environmental requirements to meet; federal permits must be justified according <br />to purpose and need; and the ability to finance projects, especially those providing agricultural <br />water, is often very difficult. <br /> <br />As a consequence, the Board determined to review the utility of the construction fund to meet <br />the needs of the 1990's. Without deviating from the fundamental purpose of fostering new <br />beneficial consumptive use, the Board recognized that other investments were desirable if we <br />were to protect our existing water supplies and to provide a sound basis for expanding our water <br />supply facilities. <br /> <br />In viewing future opportunities, the Board believed there were increasing pressure for more <br />efficient use of water supplies and for stronger more effective management of water systems. <br />And regrettably, the backlog of projects needing repair was accelerating in numbers as the state's <br />water facility infrastructure aged. <br /> <br />After discussing future directions for the construction fund during its meetings in 1991 and <br />having the advantage of comments and suggestions from a wide variety of interests, the Board <br />asked the General Assembly to amend statutory guidance for the construction fund. Their <br />recommendations were incorporated into SB 92-87 and were improved upon as it passed through <br />the General Assembly and was eventually signed into law. <br /> <br />In the new requests for authorization to expend funds from the construction fund in 1993, the <br />Board is making specific requests covering a wide range of categories now possible under the <br />new guidelines. They represent specific opportunities for water development and management <br />and for problem solving that the Board is convinced will help meet the water challenges ahead. <br /> <br />~0d <br /> <br />Daries C. Lile <br />Director <br /> <br />. CWCB Annual Report, page Hi <br />