6

• Board Meeting Date: 1/22/2008
• Description: WSP Section - Species Conservation Trust Fund Recommendations
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

STATE OF COLORADO
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Shernan Street, Room 721
Denser, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
wuu*. c~scb. state. co. us
TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members
FROM: Tom Blickensderfer
Randy Seaholm
Ted Kowalski
DATE: January 11, 2008
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Gosernor
Harris D. Sherman
DNR Executise Director
Jennifer L. Gimbel
CWCB Director
SUBJECT: Agenda Item 6, January 22-23, 2007 Board Meeting Dan B`v putt' Di,'eet~r
Water Supply Protection -Species Conservation Trust
Fund Recommendations
Background
HB98-1006 created the Native Species Conservation Trust Fund (SCTF). Each year, after
consulting with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and its director, the Colorado
Wildlife Commission and the director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), and a
SCTF stakeholder group, the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
must prepare a "species conservation eligibility list" ("SCE list"). The list must describe
programs and associated costs that are eligible to receive funding.
The SCE list is then sent to the General Assembly for review and modification as appropriate
prior to the passage of the SCTF bill for that year. When the SCE list is submitted to the General
Assembly, the DNR Executive Director must also provide a report about the status of certain
native species and the progress that has been made toward the recovery of those species. The
report must include an assessment of habitat benefits attributable to activities that have been
undertaken by the State and its partners.
Due to recent expenditures, the SCTF has less money available for allocation than in previous
years. However, last year's legislation included some provisions to allow transfers of money
under certain circumstances (some of which have occurred) so the fund will be in better
condition than it otherwise would have been. Attached is a description of this year's proposed
allocations and other recommended legislative actions.
Staff Recommendation
The Staff recommends that the CWCB recommend that $13.9 million ($7.76 for ongoing
projects and $6.14 for new projects) be authorized for the work identified and described in the
attachment. In addition, the Staff recommends that the Board recommend that the necessary
transfers from the severance tax operational account to the SCTF occur to keep the fund solvent.
There may be further modifications or statutory changes recommended at the Board meeting.
Water Supply Protection • Watershed Protection & Flood Mitigation • Stream & Lake Protection • Water Supply Planning & Finance
Water Conservation & Drought Planning • Intrastate Water Management & Development