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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR THE CWCB ~ATEWIDE RIVER REH,ABILITATION & FLOODPLAIN NEEDS INVENTORY "\. - , The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) inventory addresses issues regarding the preservation of Colorado's rivers; destroyed habitat; lost land; flood loss reduction measures; funding requirements; multi- objective perspectives; and teamwork. These issues are the focus of the CWCB's recent survey conducted in an effort to provide better guidance in the management of Colorado's rivers and floodplains. The CWCB initiated a survey to solicit the input of Colorado landowners and communities and inventory their needs for dealing with stream corridors, floodplains, and watersheds. The importance of determining these needs cannot be underestimated since it is tied so directly to the better management of the state's stream corridors. The attributes of living and working in Colorado continue to attract new people whose presence in turn affects the state's watersheds and their components: the floodplains and stream corridors. The Board's consultant, McLaughlin Water Engineers, Ltd. (MWE), was retained by the CWCB to assist with the survey of the state's 321 communities (63 counties and 268 cities and towns), and of 110 flood and water related organizations having an interest in the state's stream corridors. The response rate to the statewide assessment survey has been very high, with 141 (40%) survey questionnaires returned. MWE also assisted the CWCB with the interpretation of the survey results and the development of recommendations for responding to the needs identified. The completed questionnaires provided a good overview of floodplain issues, planning and implementation needs, and existing environmental and institutional concerns in Colorado. In addition, the needs survey allowed the opportunity for additional input from floodplain administrators, land use coordinators, govern- ment entities, landowners, and the water and environmental communities who deal directly with water resources and flood-related issues. The survey yielded findings that provide an overview of statewide needs for the Board staff and the Project Steering Committee (Committee). The CWCB staff was assisted by a Committee which provided instructions regarding project scoping, task reviews, and drafting of project recommendations. (See Table 1 for the Committee Membership list.) The survey findings offer a basis for understanding needs and formulating recommendations for meeting those needs. The statewide needs for floodplain and stream corridor management have been compiled by the CWCB's consultant. At the January 14,1998 Committee meeting, the CWCB and the Committee agreed on the following categories of needs: 1) planning assistance; 2) funding for project implementation; 3) public information; and 4) policy and criteria guide- lines. The Committee selected a project title of Statewide River Rehabilitation and Floodplain Management Needs Inventory. Executive Summary - 1