27d

• Board Meeting Date: 11/19/2008
• Description: CF Section - En-Bloc Non-Reimbursable Investment Recommendations - CWCB Weather Modification Program - Water User Cost Share Assistance
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

STATE OF COLORADO
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us
Bill Ritter, Jr.
TO:
Colorado Water Conservation Board Members
Governor

Harris D. Sherman
FROM: Joe Busto,
Weather Modification Program Coordinator
DNR Executive Director
Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation Section
Jennifer L. Gimbel
CWCB Director
DATE: November 6
, 2008
Dan McAuliffe
CWCB Deputy Director
Agenda Item 27d, November 18-19, 2008 Board meeting
SUBJECT:
W
atershed Protection & Flood Mitigation Section –
En-bloc Non-Reimbursable Investments
CWCB Weather Modification Program – Water User Cost Share Assistance
Background
Through previous CWCB non-reimbursable investments, cl oud seeding grants have been made available to
local entities for weather modification operations in Colorado. The CWCB provided $20,000 in 2004-05,
$60,000 in 2005-06, $75,000 in 2006 -07, and $150,000 in 2 007-08 for cloud seeding co st-share grants. CWCB
funding assists water conservancy districts, water conser vation districts, and local governments with cloud
seeding programs, with an overall goal of increasing m ountain snowpack and water yield. At the May 2008
CWCB meeting, Staff presented a Weathe r Modification Strategic Plan; and the staff request will be set at no
more than $175,000 annually. The CWCB funding will be used for an appropriate mix of grants to local
entities for cloud seeding operations, technical assistance, and funding for equipment up grades, studies, and
program evaluations.
Discussion
Collaborative cloud seeding has been a highlight of the Colorado Rive r Seven Basin States process and the
CWCB has agreements with and recei ves funding from three Lower Basin Water Users and the New Mexico
Interstate Stream Commission. The agreements relate to grants for seeding operations, equipment upgrades,
scientific studies, and program eval uations. The Lower Basin Water Users provided $45,000 in 2005-06,
$57,000 in 2006-07, and $135,000 in 2007-08. The CWCB will receive $126,000 from the Lower Basin Water
Users and $42,000 from the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission for winter 2008-09. Cloud seeding
programs eligible for CWCB non-reimbursable investments include: The San Juan Mountains Program
(Southwestern WCD & others), Upper San Miguel Basi n Program (Southwestern WCD & others), Gunnison
Watershed Program (Gunnison County & others), Central Colorado Rocki es (Denver Water), Central Rockies
(Colorado Springs Utilities), and the Grand M esa Program (Water Enhancement Authority).
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board request that the General assembly authorize $175,000 from the
Construction Fund to be appropriated to the CWCB Weather Modification Program to be used for non-
reimbursable investments to assist water providers in the development of Colorado weather modification
activities.
Water Supply Protection • Watershed Protection & Flood Mitigatio n • Stream & Lake Protection • Water Supply Planning & Finance
Water Conservation & Drought Planning • In trastate Water Management & Development