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 P,ctiR CONS.44,
Department of Natural Resources �„G;1Lr, �,�� o %' arc',\y9�•o
1313 Sherman Street,Room 721 35-0, O Iv' 3 `3p:`•
Denver,Colorado 80203 �,, 4`rt)r-'a++ ° lo;m
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Phone:[phone] ov
FAX:[phone] 4;76
www.cwcb.state.co.us +.j g 11 6
TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Bill Ritter,Jr.
Governor
Finance Committee
Harris D.Sherman
DNR Executive Director
FROM: Jeff Baessler, Stream and Lake Protection Section
Torn Ley, Division of Water Resources State Hydrographer Jennifer L.Gimbel
CWCB Director
DATE: August 24, 2009 Dan McAuliffe
CWCB Deputy Director
SUBJECT: September 15-16, 2009 Board Meeting
Water Supply Planning and Finance Section—
Satellite Linked Monitoring System & Flood Hardening Program
Background
The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has requested an appropriation of$250,000 for the continued
operational viability of the state Satellite-linked Monitoring System (SMS). Each year, funding for this
program has been reviewed and approved by both the Finance and the Board. It has been recognized
that it is critical for both the State's water planning and water administrative agencies to support and
maintain state-of-art stream gaging programs and continue to provide accurate water resources data to
support multi-agency and water user needs. The DWR Satellite-linked Monitoring program is outlined
in §37-60-121 and §37-80-102 C.R.S.
Discussion
In previous years, DWR requested approximately$350,000 to operate and maintain the system as well
as make infrastructure improvements at existing gage locations. This year's request was reduced by
$100,000 in recognition of the current budget crisis. In order to make up the shortfall, and to address
other identified needs, DWR and CWCB are collaborating to identify the most critical streamgaging
needs throughout the state and will combine resources as necessary to address those needs. In addition,
CWCB and DWR will delay flood hardening and infrastructure improvements at a number of gages.
CWCB is currently working on a hydrographic strategic plan that will address cooperative efforts with
DWR and USGS and identify CWCB gaging needs throughout the state. CWCB staff will also be
working closely with DWR over the next year to address cableway improvements which are needed at
many gaging sites throughout the state. This year's reduced request will delay the replacement of some
out-dated satellite data collection platforms, however there will be no immediate interruption in the
collection of data at these gages.
Flood Protection•Water Supply Planning and Finance•Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection•Conservation and Drought Planning