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• Board Meeting Date: 5/21/2008
• Description: IWMD Section - Alternative Agricultural Water Transfer Methods - Arkansas and South Platte Basins Competitive Grant Program
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

This is a new initiative for the Colorado Water Conservation Board and we are very excited
about strong interest and we have received a number of applications. In fact, the total amount of
funds requested ($2.3 million) exceeds the $1.5 million available. In addition, we have received
letters from potential applicants stating their interest in submitting an application at the
November 2008 CWCB meeting. While we are pleased with the level of interest in the program,
it definitely makes our review of the grants more challenging. Since this is a competitive grant
program, the applications will be evaluated on how well they meet the evaluation criteria set
forth in the program's criteria and guidelines. We are hopeful that our funding can be used
effectively to advance a diverse set of "on-the-ground" solutions to critical water supply issues.
In addition, one key obj ective of this grant program is to support prof ects that will yield usable
and transferable information which can be applied to other proj ects throughout the State.
In the review of the applications, staff was mindful of the limited funding and the competitive
nature of the grant program. Currently, there are no requests to the Legislature for future
replenishment of funds into the program and there is a strong possibility that this may be our
only opportunity to fund proj ects that advance alternative methods to permanent agricultural dry-
up. Being sensitive to this and hopeful that this grant program can fund very meaningful
projects, staff was diligent in its review of the grant applications. As you review the applications
and staff recommendations, please keep in mind the criteria and guidelines, the eligibility
requirements and the evaluation criteria. In staff's review, the criteria and guidelines were used
to objectively evaluate each application/project. Out of the five applications submitted, only one
application is being recommended for approval (with conditions). Staff hopes the applications
that do not receive funding at this CWCB meeting will amend their applications to be consistent
with the program goals as outlined in the criteria and guidelines and return for consideration at
the CWCB's November 2008 meeting.
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