BOARD00098 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 1/23/2007
• Description: OWCDP Section - Water Efficiency Grant Request from the Douglas County Water Resource Authority
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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The DCWRA recognizes the importance of conserving water in the State, and realizes that
outdoor water use constitutes 40% of the County's overall water use. DCWRA believes that the
management of their citizen's outdoor water use is the most important tool in managing water
demand in the future. The Xeriscape DVD was created to communicate and demonstrate how
outdoor watering demands can be reduced without compromising the natural beauty of the
Colorado landscape. In collaboration with multiple media relations, publicity efforts, and the
mailing of the DVD, the DCWRA has estimated a 4% success rate.

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However, the actual success of the effort will be measured by the Colorado Foundation for Water
Education through an extensive evaluation of a feedback survey. The evaluation component of
this project will be uniquely designed to provide an independent evaluation of the effectiveness
fthe DVD in achieving the stated objectives of the project. It will also provide the project
articipants and the CWCB with information regarding the effectiveness of the general
llistribution ofDVDs as a means of educating the public at large regarding xeriscape and other
bonservation issues affecting the individual water users.

Lhe applicant has demonstrated a total matching contribution of 47% of the total project budget.
~e match is a combination of cash and in-kind services contributed by Douglas County and the
10cal water providers. The OWCDP staffhas evaluated the grant application and finds that it
eets the CWCB Guidelines for the Water Efficiency Grant Program.

ecommendation:

i.

e OWCDP staff recommends that the Board award a Water Efficiency Grant in the amount of
64,800 to Douglas County Water Resource Authority for its Xeriscape DVD duplication and
. . stribution project. However, future grant funding for the DCWRA for subsequent public
ucation and outreach projects should be predicated on those DCWRA members, who are
overed entities, having updated and CWCB-approved water conservation plans that comply
'th ~37-60-126 C.R.S., as amended by HB04-1365.

. Douglas County Water Resource Authority Grant Application (including scope of work
& project budget).
. Letters of support and matching contributions from partnering cities.
. Application evaluation criteria ranking sheet, scored by OWCDP staff.

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