Finance Committee Meeting 2008

• Board Meeting Date: 9/16/2008
• Description: Finance Sub-Committee Meeting September 16, 2008
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

STATE OF COLORADO
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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources ,
1313 Sherman Street,Room 721 . "
Denver,Colorado 80203 ,,f o
t'hone.[phone] * ,�)\
Fax:[phone] • 1876
www cweb.state.co.us q
Bill Ritter,Jr.
Governor
TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members Harris x Sherman
UNR L-xecutive Director
FROM: Thu Y Patton—Floodplain Mapping Coordinator Jennifer L.Gimbel
CW03 Director
Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation Section
Dan McAuliffe
CWCB Deputy Director
DATE: July 31,2008
SUBJECT: Non-Reimbursable Investments—Colorado Floodplain Map Modernization Program
Introduction and Discussion
In early 2003, Congress approved a substantial funding package ($150 million) to provide updated floodplain mapping
nationwide. Similar funding levels have been allocated by Congress in subsequent years. This level of funding represents a
fivefold increase in amounts seen during previous funding cycles,and has presented an outstanding opportunity for Colorado
• and other states to make a concerted effort to update and revise aging floodplain maps. In preparation for increased
floodplain mapping efforts and to provide a source of non-federal matching dollars for the cost-share program, the CWCB
approved and the General Assembly authorized a non-reimbursable investment of$500,000 in the 2003 Construction Fund
Bill with annual funding amounts in all subsequent Bills. Staff is now requesting a total of$500,000 for program funding.
Beginning in August 2003,Colorado has received over$7.9 million in federal grant dollars for floodplain mapping activities
as part of the floodplain Map Modernization program initiated by FEMA.The FEMA funds are being matched by CWCB
and local cost-share dollars to implement the map update work that includes engineering and GIS to create new digital
countywide maps. The initial Map Modernization Program funds authorized in the 2003 and all subsequent Construction
Fund Bills have provided the required non-federal matching dollars(80/20 cost share program). The State funds are further
leveraged by local cost share dollars and in-kind services from many communities thus far.The total funding amounts have
been instrumental in keeping Colorado as a lead state within FEMA Region 8. Without the CWCB matching dollars,
Colorado could miss out on millions of dollars in federal grants.It is fully expected that high levels of FEMA funding
(millions of$)will stream into Colorado during the next several years and beyond.
Staff Request
The staff of the Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation Section is requesting approval by the Board for a non-
reimbursable investment from the CWCB Construction Fund in the amount up to$500,000. The request is to provide
matching dollars and related study funds in order to take advantage of the federal grant funds from FEMA for
modernized floodplain maps in Colorado. The CWCB funds, if authorized by the Board and the General Assembly,
would be available for all phases of the technical needs for providing new digital floodplain maps to multiple counties
and communities in the state. Matching requirements(cash and/or in-kind services) will also be required from the local
governments receiving assistance from the Map Modernization Program.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board request that the General assembly authorize$500,000 from the Construction Fund to
be appropriated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for technical activities related to the Colorado Floodplain
Map Modernization Program.
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Water Supply Protection•Watershed Protection&Flood Mitigation•Stream&Lake Protection•Water Supply Planning&Finance
Water Conservation&Drought Planning•Intrastate Water Management&Development