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Section 6 Implementation and Recommendations for Colorado's Water Supply Future Office of Water Conservation and Drought Planning (OWCDP) This Section of the CWCB provided valuable technical assistance on the Conservation and • Water Use Reporting • Water Planning and Efficiency Grant Program Efficiency section of this report. The Section was originally created in 1991 and its importance to the state has grown significantly over the last few years. -The 20071egislative session resulted in the passage of SB 07-008, expanding the Water Efficiency Grant Program. The Water Efficiency Grant Program supports water conservation and drought mitigation planning and water efficiency implementation projects, as well as water resource conservation public education and outreach. The bill not only appropriated additional monies into the grant program, but it also expanded the eligibility opportunities to state and local governmental entities, including small water providers. With the increased promotional and public outreach activities, including ongoing regional water conservation workshops around the state, the OW CDP is and will continue to experience an increase in the number of grant inquires and applications for the Water Efficiency Grant Program. The OWCDP anticipates that much of its focus and resources will be on and applied to the grant program. The OWCDP will also focus attention on providing technical assistance in the areas of water conservation planning and implementation. Ongoing dialogue with water providers of all sizes around the state continues to point to the critical need for technical water conservation planning assistance both in identifying appropriate water savings measures and programs for their successful implementation. Anumber ofnew or updated water conservation plans, seeking to comply with the 2004 revised planning requirements, have been submitted to the OWCDP for evaluation and approval This trend is projected to increase as more water providers seek to comply with the mandate for planning, take The OWCDP is responsible for providing technical assistance in the areas of drought mitigation planning and implementation. To that end, the Office will begin an initiative to develop a set of comprehensive technical tools and programs to promote and facilitate water provider efforts in drought mitigation planning and to update the state's drought plan. The OWCDP will also be responsible for developing a Climate Action Plan as a part of its drought planning mission. Water adaptation strategies necessary to address the potential impacts for climate change in Colorado is critical This activity will be undertaken in conjunction with the Governor's Water Availability Task Force and other federal, state, and local partners. The OWCDP will continue its ongoing programs targeted at water resource conservation public education and outreach. It will initiate the Statewide Water Conservation Public Awareness Research Study as a first step towards a statewide messaging and education campaign geared towards Colorado citizens in an effort to promote and support a water conservation ethic around the state as well as an appreciated value for this scarce resource. Water Supply Protection Section This Section of the CWCB addresses Highlights: federal and • Addressing Federal Issues interstate issues • Endangered Species such as the Recovery Program Colorado River • Colorado River Compact Compact, the Negotiations Endangered Species .Interstate Negotiations Recovery Program, . RICDs and Interstate .Colorado River Salinity Control negotiations. 6-6 PRELIMINARY DRAFT