CWCB Construction Fund and Severance Tax Trust Fund Annual Report 1998

• Year: 1998
• Title: Construction Fund and Severance Fund Tax Trust Fund Annual Report
• CWCB Section: Agency-wide
• Publications - Doc Type: CF Annual Report

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feasibility study.
5.5 South Platte River Multi-Objective Management Plan Continuation
In 1996, the Board was authorized to expend up to $50,000 under contract with the Corps of
Engineers to investigate problems related to flooding on the South Platte River in 1995 and to
develop a multi-objective management plan to mitigate future flood losses and improve irrigation
supply. In 1998, the Board recommended that an additional $56,000 from the Construction Fund
be appropriated for mapping,surveys, and collection of field data.
5.6 Lower Elk River Flood lain Management Plan
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The CWCB recommended an appropriation of up to $30,000 to the Board to assist Routt County
and the Lower Elk River Flood Association implement demonstration projects ($10,000) and to
develop a multi-objective floodplain management master plan($20,000) for the lower reach of the
Elk River and the Yampa River. Matching funds will be obtained from the county and the
association.
5.7 Geo-Hydrologic Investigation of the Denver Basin Aquifers
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' The Board recommended that the state artici ate with the Denver Museum of Natural History
p ry
and U.S. Geological Survey to obtain a 2,000 foot core from the center of the Denver Basin aquifers
near Kiowa in Elbert County and conduct a geo-hydrologic analysis. The core hole is part of a
$467,000 three year National Science Foundation research proposal that will focus on the evolution
of the Denver Basin and its landscapes. Drilling and coring of the 2-inch diameter hole is estimated
to cost $170,000 and is planned to begin in 1999. The geo-hydrologic analysis will measure the
specific yield,hydraulic conductivity, and porosity of 50 samples taken from the core. The results
will develop a more quantitative understanding of the geometry and yield of the aquifers.
5.8 Loans to the Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery Programs
Proposed federal legislation will limit both state and federal financial commitments to the two
' endangered fish recovery programs for Colorado River fishes. A bill was introduced in 1998 with
broad support from the Colorado congressional delegation as well as the Utah, Wyoming and New
Mexico delegations. This proposed federal legislation anticipates a$17 million contribution from
the four states (collectively) and a matching contribution of$17 million from users of hydroelectric
power produced at Colorado River Storage Project facilities. The electric power users have
generally agreed to this concept with the condition that their contribution can be structured in a way
which does not require them to raise their electric rates. In 1998, the CWCB proposed to finance
the power user's$17 million contribution from a new account in the CWCB Construction Fund. The
loans would be repayable over a period of 30 or 40 years at an interest rate favorable to the Board
and the power users. The Board recommended a transfer of$2 million into this new account with
CWCB FY98 Annual Report,page 37