BOARD00030 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 9/19/2006
• Description: Flood Section - CWCB Watershed Restoration Program Update
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

- 2 -

framework to address the issues of funding scenarios and types of projects that would be eligible under this
Program. They are: . .

Potential FUI/ding Scenarios

· Multi-Objective Stream and Watershed Restoration studies and projects will be funded by the CWCB
on a cost-share basis. CWCB funds shall not exceed 50% of the total cost of the individual study or
project, and State funds should be leveraged to the maximum extent possible with other local, state, or
federal funds.

· Flood Hazard Mitigation studies and projects (single-purpose) will be funded by the CWCB on a cost
share basis. The amount ofthe required cost-share for each project will be evaluated on a case-by-case
basis and will take into account benefits to the State with a strong emphasis on public health, safety, and
welfare. Projects that protect life and property will receive a high priority and will be funded
accordingly. CWCB contributions to federally sponsored studies or projects should not exceed 50% of
the total cost.

· CWCB staff may initiate small studies or demonstration projects (watershed restoration or flood
mitigation) utilizing up to 25% of the annually authorized Program funding amount. For example, this
year the available amount for such activities would not exceed $37,500 (25% of$150,000). Staff
initiated studies would attempt to maximize partner funding with no specific match requirement.

Potential List of Eligible Program Activities

In order to maintain integrity with the defined missions and with statutory authority for the CWCB, we
recommend the following list of approved topics for the program:

.

· . Reduction of general flooding problems
· Improvement of channel instability issues
· Reduction of water-related risk to infrastructure
· Increased benefit for water supply and water development needs
· Reduction of impacts due to historic mining or agricultural activities
· Improvement of watershed conditions to abate natural disasters such as wildfires
· Protection or enhancement of riparian habitat or recreation
· Implementation of structural or non-structural flood hazard reduction measures
· Completion of flood mitigation studies that will lead to projects or flood reduction measures

Future Steps
Staff will continue to refine program guidelines, application procedures, and eligible activities (with assistance
from available resources as appropriate) to further refine the Program. In addition, we will collate a list of
interested applicants and potential projects that could benefit from the Program and its funding capabilities.
Furthermore, we continue to work with the DNR Human Resources staff to fill the vacant Program coordinator
position and hope to have a full-time staff member hired this winter. The new staff person will assist greatly in
implementing the Program responsibilities.

Summary
Staff is providing this agenda item to the Board as an update and for informational purposes but isn't
.requesting specific action at this time. Further development of the Program will take place during the
coming months, especially after a full-time staff person is hired to replace the current vacation position
within the CWCB Flood Protection Section.

.

Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning