14d

• Board Meeting Date: 9/17/2008
• Description: Director's Report - CWCB Director
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Specifically, they argue that the Service's reliance on morphological data wrongly assumed that fish
morphologically conforming to WCT will only be slightly hybridized. According to plaintiffs, the record
shows that fish can have introgression levels up to 50% and still morphologically conform to the WCT
subspecies. The Service acknowledged that populations that morphologically conform to the WCT
subspecies may have introgression levels higher than 20%, but argued that its methods were still
reasonable. The court held that "...in the absence of genetic data, the Service reasonably included fish
morphology conforming to WCT in the population." Furthermore, the court said, "To agree with the
plaintiffs would be to require the Service to make its decision only on the basis of genetic data. This rule
would demand the absurd result that the service must deem threatened any species for which it lacks
genetic data. Absent a statutory mandate requiring the Service to collect genetic data, the Service's
method was reasonable." (Source: Western States Water Council Newsletter, Issue No. 1786, August 8,
2008)
CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP: The Western Governors' Association (WGA), Western
States Water Council and the California Department of Water Resources are cosponsoring a workshop on
climate change on September 24-26 at the Irvine Hilton in California. The workshop will focus on tools
for adapting to climate change and climate variability, including the development of a set of standard
practices. Topics that will be addressed include improvements in weather/climate prediction, revised
hydrologic design criteria, modifying reservoir flood control rule curves, and risk management
techniques. As states, local governments, and private businesses increasingly explore ways to prepare
and adapt to future climate changes and climate variability, guidelines specific to the water industry are
lacking. State water management agencies are uniquely positioned to take a leading role in establishing
such guidance. The workshop is part of implementing the WGA's June 2006 report, "Water Needs and
Strategies for a Sustainable Future," and June 2008 "Next Steps" report. More information is available on
the Council's website. (Source: Western States Water Council Newsletter, Issue No. 1786, August 8,
2008)
~STATEWIDE~
HB07-1130 FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM, ONE YEAR STATUS REPORT:
HBl 130 authorized a forest restoration grant program to be administered by the Colorado State Forest
Service [CSFS] in response to beetle infestations in mountain areas. SB07-122, Section 20 provided ...
"$1 million from the perpetual base account of the severance tax trust fund for purposes authorized by
House Bill 07-1130 ... except that those purposes shall be limited to protecting water supplies." Board
staff participated in the project selection process and reported to the Board last year that projects were
focusing on protection of watersheds with important water supply attributes. HB 1130 also required a
report be submitted to the Governor one year after the program began. The CSFS recently completed and
submitted the report and a copy is attached to this report as Attachment 14d-03. The report finds that:
1. 12 of 43 applicants received funding, using all of the $1 million authorized
2. Recipients brought another $2.8 million in matching funds to these projects
3. As of July 1, 2008 approximately 50% of project work had been completed
4. Significant reductions in wildfire risk and enhancements to watersheds and riparian areas are
being achieved.
(Steve MilleN)
r°~` 8