CWCB Basin Plan Meetings 2000-2001

• Year: 2001
• Title: Basin Planning Meetings
• Author: Colorado Water Conservation Board
• Description: 2000-2001 Bason Planning Meetings
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

y�tt�CON sEAa Colorado Water
Educational Needs Conservation Board
y Rod Kuharich, Director
o Dan McAuliffe, Deputy Director
c
Identified at the
Basin Planning Meetings www.cwcb.state.co.us
'1937,
Education and Outreach
Although the CWCB has been around since 1937, and
many communities and water users have
benefited from its programs, programs and
initiatives; new education and outreach efforts
are always needed. The Colorado water
community is continually looking for updates and
information on each of the CWCB's program
areas. Recent trends in water use and
development in Colorado have created additional
interest in the following areas :
feasibility study requirements (e.g., entities that can
receive funding, types of projects);
construction project requirements (e.g.,
entities that can receive funding, eligibility
procedures); use of funding for O &M and
an identification of other relevant State
and Federal funding mechanisms.
Water Supply Protection — Native American
water rights issues; Division 2 and 7 federal
reserve water rights; Black Canyon of the
Gunnison National Park federal reserve rights;
Three States Cooperative Agreement impacts on
Endangered Species; federal by -pass flow
Supporting Water
requirements and impacts on state water rights;
Education Statewide is
development and use of programmatic biological
of Critical Importance
opinions to solve endangered species issues and
status and use of the Colorado Decision Support
to the Long-Term
System (CDSS).
Conservaationtion,
,
Development,
Flood Protection — Definitions; modeling and
protection and
floodplain delineation methods; policy for
Management of the
construction in floodplains; relationship of the
State's Waters
CWCB with FEMA; river restoration methods and
funding opportunities and teaming opportunities with state
and federal governments.
Stream and Lake Protection — Acquisition and
appropriation methods for instream flows (ISF); use of ISFs
in protection of wildlife, recreational flows, fish flows,
traditional return flows from agricultural lands; high basin
versus. lower basin priorities; unique role of the State in its
ability to hold ISF rights; how dry year leases work with ISFs
and general information on the ISF program, the nature of
ISFs (e.g., coordination with non - consumptive uses), the
work plan process, methodologies for developing
definitions, and the role of the Section with other entities
(e.g., Trout Unlimited, National Forest Service, COGO,
Colorado Water Bank). Also, the information related to
program monitoring needs to be made available.
Water Supply Planning and Finance— Applications for
the construction fund and severance tax perpetual base
account; use of funds in rehabilitation and repair of dams
and watershed planning, irrigation efficiency studies;
Water Conservation and Drought
Planning — Watershed planning and
management programs and assistance
offered by the state; drought planning and
water conservation assistance offered and
supported by the state; model drought
plans; watershed protection support
offered by the state and weather
modification programs.
Information Management — Develop
fact sheets on economic and growth
projections; identify funding mechanisms
for water projects, water and sanitary
districts; and generally need GIS coverages
for all CWCB programs (e.g., floodplains
with designations and delineations;
locations of existing and high priority ISFs,
dam safety inventory, etc.).
In addition, significant needs have been identified with
regard to general outreach efforts. The basin planning
process, for example, was considered by the citizens
and water users of the State to be a success in creating
an opportunity for dialog, and as a means to provide
education and instruction into the services and
technical support provided by the CWCB. This
practice needs to continue, and will in the following
ways:
• Regular Basin Planning efforts and workshops will
be planned and supported by the CWCB
• The CWCB Board Meetings will be rotated
through the major watersheds of the state
• Fact sheets and informational brochures will be
prepared and circulated
• Web site based information will be published and
maintained