27 ‎(3)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 1/23/2008
• Description: Director's Report - IBCC Director
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

201.Centennial Street fP07Box1120 *.Glenwood Springs,7CO~81602~
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www.ColoradoRiverDistrict.org

The CWCB Board's approval in November was consistent with the CWCB staff's recommendation
that the Board approve the policy with an understanding that the policy could be "fme tuned" after
the Legislature made the necessary statutory authorizations. My understanding is both the policy and
~- any related legislati:ve changes andany~appropriations to,be includedinthis~year' s projects' billwill ~
be discussed at the CWCB's January meeting.

STATUS:
CWCB Board approved "Policy 18" at its November meeting. However, several additional steps are
required before the program is fully in effect. First, certain statutory changes are required, including
authorizing the CWCB to own water rights for purposes other than instream flows. Additionally, the
initial and subsequent appropriations to this program would be subject to legislative approval
through the CWCB's construction fund authorization bill, as will participating projects under the

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meeting.

This new program would allow the CWCB to acquire and hold water rights (both stored and direct
diversion rights) for consumptive and non-consumptive uses, including unspecified, future uses.

BAeKGROUND:
Last year the CWCB initiated a process to establish a new "Water Management Partnership
Program" to allow the CWCB to own water in water supply projects it fmances. The Board approved
"Policy 18" at its November 2007 meeting initiating such a program. The policy (attached) describes
the criteria and guidelines for such a program. Despite the appearance of the redline version of the
attached policy, it is a new CWCB policy and has been adopted with the changes noted. The
program would be financed by a combination ofloans and non-reimbursable contributions to water
supply projects. that apply under the program. The program would be funded with annual
appropriations from the Severance Tax Perpetual Base Account.

The CWCB is considering a new program which raises concerns for western Colorado. This policy
will be discussed at the CWCB's January meeting ~d may be the subject oflegislation this year.
Accordingly, I requeSt the Board provide direction on this policy for staff discussions both with
the CWeB and eolorado's General Assembly.

SUBJECT:

CWCB Policy #18

FROM:

CHRIS TREESE

To:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEMORANDUM
JANUARY 3,2008

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Colorado River District
Protecting Western Colorado Water Since

1937