06d

• Board Meeting Date: 5/20/2008
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

information attached to this report as Attachment 6d-Ol,was provided by Michele O'Connell, USFS. If
you have questions regarding this information, please contact Michele O'Connell at:
Michele O'Connell
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region
Group Leader Lands Special Uses
[phone], FAX [phone]
mmoconnell@fs. fed.us
On February 29, 20008, representatives of the USFS, DNR and CWCB met to discuss several issues,
including the issuance of Ditch Bill easements. The USFS has informed CWCB staff that approximately
sixty (60) new easements have been executed by the Regional Forester, and that the USFS is in the
process of notarizing, scanning, posting, and returning the easements to the Forests to send to the
easement holders. The USFS anticipates that in processing the remaining applications, it may encounter
situations where diversions dewater stream reaches. In such cases, the USFS will meet with the State as
contemplated by the 2004 MOU. The CWCB and DNR staff, USFS staff, and representatives of Xcel
Energy and the Southwestern Water Conservation District met on March 6, 2008 to discuss issues related
to the issuance of Ditch Bill easements, where the USFS reiterated its intent to work with the State on
Ditch Bill easements involving stream flow issues. (Linda Bassi)
~STATEWIDE~
PROPOSED BALLOT INITIATIVES -Several proposed ballot initiatives have been submitted to
the Secretary of State's Office that would affect the CWCB. Several of the proposed Initiatives increase
severance taxes or re-distribute severance tax revenues to fund education and highways. We're analyzing
the proposed Initiatives and may have more information for you at the Board meeting.
A list of the Initiatives we are monitoring is attached to this report. Attachment 6d-02.
A description of proposed initiatives in process, the language of the proposed initiatives, and a review and
comment memo are available at the following web site:
http:/Iwww.leg.state.co.usllcslinitrefrl0708InitRefr.nsflreviewcomment?openview&count=30.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES AMENDED VERSION OF SB 168 - On May 6, 2008 the
General Assembly passed an amended version of Senate Bill 168, this year's Species Conservation Trust
Fund legislation. This year's legislation included appropriations for $7.5 million of the State's $24
million obligation to the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. In addition, this year's
legislation included $500,000 for acquisitions of water rights for instream flow water rights that will
assist in the recovery of threatened and endangered species and species of special concern. This money
can be expended after a subsequent approval by the General Assembly. (Randy Seahol@
TROUT UNLIMITED SPRING RENDEZVOUS - On April 12, 2008, Director Jennifer Gimbel
and Linda Bassi attended TU's Spring Rendezvous in Redstone, Colorado. Linda gave a presentation on