BOARD00070 ‎(3)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 11/13/2006
• Description: En-Bloc Non Reimbursable Investments Map Modernization Program
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room n 1
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

TO:
FROM:
DATE:

Colorado Water Conservation Board - Finance Committee
Dawn Gladwell- Floodplain Mapping Coordinator
October 30, 2006
Agenda Item 11g (En-bloc non-reimbursable investments)
Map Modernization Program
November 13-15, 2006 CWCB Meeting

Russell George
Executive Director

RE:

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Introduction and Discussion
In early 2003, Congress approved a substantial funding package ($150 million) to provide updated floodplain
mapping nationwide. Similar funding levels have been allocated by Congress in subsequent years. This level of
funding represents a five fold increase in amounts seen during previous funding cycles, and has presented an
outstanding opportunity for Colorado and other states to make a concerted effort to update and revise aging
floodplain maps. In preparation for increased floodplain mapping efforts and to provide a source of non-federal
matching dollars for the cost-share program, the CWCB approved and the General Assembly authorized a non-
reimbursable investment of $500,000 in the 2003 Construction Fund Bill with annual funding amounts in all
subsequent Bills. Staff is now requesting a total of $500,000 for program funding.

Beginning in August 2003, Colorado has received over $5.5 million in federal grant dollars for floodplain mapping
activities as part of the floodplain Map Modernization program initiated by FEMA. The FEMA funds are being
matched by CWCB and local cost-share dollars to implement the map update work that includes engineering and
GIS to create new digital countywide maps. The initial Map Modernization Program funds authorized in the 2003
and all subsequent Construction Fund Bills have provided the required non-federal matching dollars (80/20 cost
share program). The State funds are further leveraged by local cost share dollars and in-kind services from many
communities thus far. The total funding amounts have been instrumental in keeping Colorado as a lead state within
FEMA Region 8 and will continue to benefit a variety of Colorado communities in the months and years to come.
Without the CWCB matching dollars, Colorado could miss out on millions of dollars in federal grants. It is fully
expected that high levels ofFEMA funding (millions of $) will stream into Colorado during the next several years
and beyond. Additionally, the Map Modernization work will become part of the proposed Flood DSS system to
increase data capture and enhance Colorado's decision support tools.

Staff Request
The staff of the Flood Protection Section is requesting approval by the Board for a non-reimbursable
investment from the CWCB Construction Fund in the amount up to $500,000. The request is to provide
matching dollars and related study funds in order to take advantage of the federal grant funds from FEMA for
modernized floodplain maps in Colorado. The CWCB funds, if authorized by the Board and the General
Assembly, would be available for all phases of the technical needs for providing new digital floodplain maps
to multiple counties and 'communities in the state. Matching requirements (cash and/or in-kind services) will
also be required from the local governments receiving assistance from the Map Modernization Program.

Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board request that the General assembly authorize $500,000 from the Construction
Fund to be appropriated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for technical activities related to the
Colorado Floodplain Map Modernization Program.

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning