20b

• Board Meeting Date: 9/18/2007
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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CHIP Plan:
. The CHIP plan is a regional watershed plan developed by local interests and is consistent
with the DNR 10 Year Strategic Plan required and accepted by Gov. Owens.
. Significant state technical and financial assistance was provided to the CHIP planning
effort.
. The CHIP Plan is the product of a broad coalition of Western Colorado interests,
including environmental groups, water users, local governments, and state and federal
agencIes.
. As Mr. Treese's letter and the supporting summary notes: "The CHIP Plan is a
collaborative document to assist in the development and implementation of future
objectives driven restoration designs ... (for) future riparian restoration work ... "
. Identified objectives include:
o control tamarisk and restore native plant communities on approximately 15,500
acres of critical riparian habitat, saving an estimated 12,000 acre-feet of water per
year
o include monitoring and maintenance procedures
o maintain information databases of partners and progress
o support local leadership and initiative to achieve the desired result
. The CWCB is promoting the CHIP Plan as the preferred planning model to be used in
Colorado's other major river basins, especially when state financial assistance is
provided.
Endorsement Request:
. The Governor's endorsement is requested to facilitate application for federal funds under
PL 1 09-341.
. Endorsement would also indicate consistency with the DNR 10 Year Strategic Plan
approach of empowering local watershed control programs, and enhance recmitment of
the partnerships necessary for the success of such efforts.
. The approach and activities identified in the CHIP Plan have widespread support across
jurisdictional lines and diverse interest groups.
. No state funding is requested or committed by viIiue of the proposed endorsement.

In addition to these statewide tamarisk control activities we have been in discussion with the
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of California regarding a seven basin state effort to use
tamarisk control specifically as a means of augmenting Colorado River water supplies. This
effort is a part of commitments to find additional water supplies made during negotiations of
long term shortage criteria for the Upper and Lower basin. We have advised MWD that
Colorado endorses a joint work plan and cooperative efforts to secure federal funding and
technical assistance pursuant to existing authority in PL 109-341, "The Salt Cedar and Russian
Olive Control Demonstration Act", but at this time is not prepared to advance funds to a seven
state program. This position is based on our belief that the most effective means of achieving
control is through local in-state efforts enhanced by a seven state consensus that such programs
are beneficial to water supplies as well as other resource values. As of yet the seven states have
not met to discuss their positions on MWD's proposal and on how best to coordinate across
statelines.

Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Finance. Sn-eam and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning