BOARD00151 ‎(3)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 3/12/2007
• Description: WSP Section - Animas-La Plata Project Updates - Intergovernmental Agreement Establishing the ALP Operations and Maintenance Association and Proposed Concept Paper
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Recommendation: Staff gives a high r commendation to the funding of this project because of its
impact on water conservation and drough!t planning as well as its contribution to attaining the goals
of SWSI. I .

2. Water Education Projects

Beneficiary/Grantee/Contractor: CW€B, Various
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Amount of Request: $75,000 Ranking: 'High

Product Produced: The CWCB has 1 aggressive water education initiative, which includes
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financial support of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education. The CWCB continues to seek Ollt
opportunities to develop and provide watJr education statewide. The following are examples of the
types of projects to be funded with the req~ested funds:

· Pamphlets and brochures. I
· Conferences and workshops to ad&ess important water matters around the state.
· Update of the Board's kiosk and di1splays.
· Grants to entities holding water fes:tivals.
· State Fair activities.

Water Planning Relationship: The I funds and associated projects will improve public
understanding of the value of water as a Scarce natural resource. This will help local and regional
water planning efforts where public under~tanding and input is important.
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Recommendation: Staff gives a high re[commendation to the funding of this project because of its
impact to educate the public to understand the scarcity and value of our water commodity.
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3. Water Conservation and Drough~ Mitigation Planning Program

Beneficiary/Gran tee/Contractor:
Amount of Request:

CWOB, Various
$200)000

Ranking: High

Product Produced: Under HB 04-1365!, the Water Conservation Act was amended to authorize
the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to expend the necessary revenues from the
unobligated balance of the five percent sliare of the operational account of the severance tax trust
fund for the purpose of the Office of Wat:er Conservation & Drought Planning (Office) to provide
assistance to covered entities to develop w~ter conservation plans and drought mitigation plans.

Staff is requesting $200,000, in order fori the Office to continue providing financial assistance to
covered entities and other state and locall governmental entities under the Water Conservation &
Drought Mitigation Planning Grant Progr~m. Staff has increased the number of opportunities for
entities to submit grant applications throu~hout the year, thereby maximizing the benefits to entities
from the grant program and increasing the number of local entities with CWCB approved water
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conservation plans. In addition, as of July I, 2006, any covered entity seeking a loan from the
CWCB or the CWPDA, is required to have an updated CWCB-approved water conservation plan on
file prior to the loan proceeds being released. OWCDP staff plans to effectively promote the grant
program around the state through worksho~s and other public outreach venues. These actions should
encourage more entities to submit grant aRplications for financial assistance in their efforts to plan .
effectively for water conservation and drou~ht mitigation.

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