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TIH COLORAdo DRouGln MiTiGATioN ANd RESpONSE PL,,; . Members continue to provide input and recommenda- tions to the National Drought Policy Commission (NDPC) as the commission formulates policy on drought response and preparedness at the national level. State Drought Mitigation Recommendations The following recommendations represent additional steps Colorado can take to reduce the impacts of drought. Many of the these recommendations came from special interest breakout sessions at the Governor's Flood and Drought Conference in December 1999, Recommenda- tions are organized by six specific goals: );> Improve monitoring );> Augment water supplies );> Increase public awareness and education );> Facilitate watershed and local planning );> Reduce water demand I encourage conservation );> Reduce impact Some of the recommendations are long-term goals, while others are short-term, Some are ongoing. The recommendations are a starting point which can be built upon in the future, Figure 2.8 Recommended Drought Mitigation Actions for Colorado Recommendation LEADI partner agencies Secure funding for stream gage improvements, Augment real time monitoring of ground water data with additional wells statewide. Oevelop a "Colorado Drought Status" strategy that communicates current drought conditions to the public and decision makers, USGS/CWCS USGS 2001 2001 Drought Task Force/CWCS 2002 Goal: Increase Public Awareness and Education Develop an internet site for Colorado drought information, CWCB/COEM 2001 Update the "About Droughf informational brochure, CWCB/COEM 2003 Implement a "Drought Awareness Week". CWCB/COEM 2003 Goal: Augment water supply Develop public/private partnerships to augment local water supplies local govt'slDoLAlCWCS such as using pits from gravel extraction for water storage and recreation, Further research of weather modification programs. CWCB Explore feasibility of water supply banking technologies: high altitude floodwater diversion storage; aquifer recharge; snow banking technologies, CWCB/SEO Provide funding for water system improvements to local govemments DoLA and local water utilities, Goal: Facilitate watershed and local planning Develop risk-based assessments of water systems by basin, CWCB 2000-01 Conduct workshops on developing local drought plans, CWCB 2000-01 Encourage "Project Impact" (PI) communities to become "drought COEMlFEMAlPI 2001 resistant communities", Communities Goal: Reduce water demand I encourage conservation Support local development of conservation programs. CWCB Ongoing Establish stronger economic incentives for private investment DNR in water conservation, Develop additional computer-aided decision support systems for river SEO/CSU basins to facilitate water conservation decision-making (modeled after the Colorado River Decision Suppor:! System), Goal: Impact reduction Conduct workshops on crop survival during drought. Coop extensionlDept of Ag, Ongoing Conduct workshops on livestock management during drought. Coop extension/Dept of Ag, Ongoing Resolve emerging water use conflicts, SEO/DNR Ongoing JANlIARY 2001 PAGE 19