BOARD0215 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 5/20/2002
• Description: OWCDP Section - Emergency Drought Responce
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

~

t

.

.

.

.

STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

FROM:

'S~kt-
Larry Lang /J'", J)
Brad Lundahl f.,/ B^

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

DATE:

May 13, 2002

RE:

Agenda Item #15 - Emergency Drought Response

Background

Governor Declares Drought Emergency
On April 22, 2002 Governor Bill Owens sent a letter (see attachment) to U.S. Department of Agriculture
Secretary Ann Veneman requesting an emergency drought disaster designation for the entire State of
Colorado. In the letter, Governor Owens recognized the effect of the current drought on Colorado's
ranching and farming communities. Under disaster status, low-interest federal loans should be made
available to impacted ranchers and farmers.

CWCB Staff Designated Chair of Drought Task Force
Brad Lundahl, Chief of the Conservation and Drought Planning Section, was chosen to become the new
chairman of the Water Availability Task Force. The former chairman, Jeff Brislawn of the Office of
Emergency Management, had held that position for the previous three years.

Drought Resonse and Mitigation Plan hnolemented
On April 22, 2002, Governor Bill Owens sent a letter to the Water Availability Task Force requesting
that the Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan be activated. This is the first time in state
history that the "Drought Plan" has been fully activated. Once activated, the Plan requires several
Impact Task Forces to form and assess any perceived drought impact on various sectors of Colorado's
environment and economy. The Governor requested that the hnpact Task Force groups meet and report
back to him by May 1, 2002. This deadline was chosen to provide sufficient time to prepare legislation
in the event it was needed.

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning