Finance Committee Meeting 2009

• Board Meeting Date: 9/15/2009
• Description: Finance Sub-Committee Meeting September 15, 2009
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

STATE OF COLORADO
•
Colorado Water Conservation Board ,s
Department of Natural Resources 471 s F°�
1313 Sherman Street,Room 721 ��g / �'
Denver,Colorado 80203 `�
Phone:[phone]
Fax:[phone] t 1876;
www.cwcb.state.co.us
TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members
Bill Ritter,Jr.
Governor
FROM: Chris Sturm, Stream Restoration Coordinator
Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation Section Harris x Sherman
g DNR Executive Director
DATE: September 1,2009 Jennifer L.Gimbel
CWCB Director
SUBJECT: Non-Reimbursable Investments Dan McAuliffe
CWCB Deputy Director
Colorado Watershed Restoration Program
Introduction
The CWCB supports watershed restoration projects presented by multiple stakeholders with diverse interests.
The results are plans and projects designed to satisfy a range of non-consumptive and consumptive water use
objectives. Many of these efforts are completed on small budgets funded through several sources of local,state
and/or federal funds. There is often a community volunteer component that contributes in-kind services
• through donated materials and time.
Discussion
The Colorado Watershed Restoration Program was funded with nearly $380,000 for the 2009 grant cycle. The
funding source was Non-Reimbursable Investments from 2006 and 2009. CWCB Staff received 15 grant
applications requesting $739,333. All the applications met the minimum qualifications for funding
consideration. Eight projects were chosen for grant funding. The total amount awarded was $356,226. This
amount leverages an average of$4.56 additional dollars for each project. The funds remaining in the Program
will be used for monitoring and operational expenses. In order to meet FY `10—'11 request, staff is
recommending that spending from the CWCB Fish and Wildlife Resource Fund(FWRF)be restricted by
$250,000. This amount will not impact anticipated expenditures from the FWRF balance.
The Program objective is to provide funding for watershed restoration studies and projects. Special consideration
is given to projects that reduce flood hazards, protect infrastructure, and increase benefits for water supply.
Projects successfully completed during the 2009 grant cycle include Middle Boulder Creek bank stabilization,
Tarryall Creek Riparian Re-vegetation, and Squirrel Creek (Upper San Luis Creek) bank stabilization. Other
ongoing projects include the Eagle River restoration project, Lake Fork of the Gunnison floodplain/channel
design study, Trail Creek(Upper South Platte) restoration project, Westerly Creek(metro area) master plan, and
the Mancos River diversion structure assessment/prioritization study. Future projects will be funded during the
2010 competitive grant cycle. Studies and projects resulting from this program can have far reaching benefits for
water supply (e.g. SWSI), flood protection, enhancement of aesthetic and environmental quality, recreation, and
increased economic benefit.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board request that the General Assembly authorize $250,000 from the
• Construction Fund to be appropriated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for the Colorado Watershed
Restoration Program.
Water Supply Protection•Watershed Protection&Flood Mitigation•Stream&Lake Protection•Water Supply Planning&Finance
Water Conservation&Drought Planning•Intrastate Water Management&Development