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Initiative No. 37 would amend the Colorado Revised Statutes to "deauthorize" the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority and terminate its activities and services as of July 1,2009, upon certification of the State Auditor that the Authority has no debts or obligations outstanding. Upon such dissolution, all property, funds, and assets of the Authority shall be vested in the State. No provision was made as to which department such assets, funds, property or programs were to be transferred Initiative No. 37 As mentioned above, the Authority is also pursuing SJR08-003 which adds, deletes and modifies projects on the DWRF and WPCRF project eligibility lists. Senator Isgar and Representative Curry are the sponsors The Board has proposed changes to the Authonty's statute to: 1) change the per diem rate for Authority Board members from $50 per day to $100 per day, and 2) allow Board members to participate in meetings through the use of telecommunications devices. The legislation was presented to the Water Resources Review Committee Senator Schwartz and Representative Gardner, members of the Committee, are sponsors ast year. ofSB08-010. Le Since early 2005 the Authority has been working with Colorado's delegation in seeking authorization of a Section 595 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) program for Colorado. A Section 595 program would offer assistance in the design and construction of water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects in Colorado, including projects for wastewater treatment and related facilities, water supply, conservation and related facilities, stormwater retention and remediation, environmental restoration, and surface water resource protection and development. Funding for publicly- owned projects under this program would be 75 percent Federal (non-reimbursable) and 25 percent local. Congressman Salazar has sponsored H.R.1659, the Rural Colorado Water Infrastructure Act, in pursuit of this authorization, and Senator Allard introduced a similar bill, S.1516. In 2007 the Colorado General Assembly approved HJR07-004, a joint resolution supporting the creation of a Section 595 Program for Colorado. islation for 2008 Federal Permitting-related activity, including coordination with the Division of Wildlife, is continuing on the Long Hollow Reservoir Project. In addition, the La Plata Water Conservancy District is seeking to obtain an option on the land in the reservoir area to protect the underground aquifer from problems associated with oil and gas exploration. To date, the Board has authorized $183,000 to work on these activities. The 404 permit is expected in the next few months Le islation Construction of the Animas-La Plata Project is approximately 65 percent complete. Funding for 2008 is $60.8 million. Over the last 22 months much time has been spent on creating an organization to operate the project as well as on how the water will be allocated on an annual basis. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2012 Animas - La Plata ProJect / La Plata River Future ProJects Escrow For 2008 programs the Board has budgeted $1 million for cost of issuance subsidies in connection with these two Priority for this subsidy will be given to wastewater projects not receiving WPCRF funding . '. Members, CWCB and Jennifer January 22, 2008 Page 2 of3 Gimbel