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Construction Fund 2008-2009 Non-Reimbursable Project Application 4110 PART B #4 Drought Mitigation and Response Plan Implementation Program Please provide a brief narrative description of the proposed study or demonstration project including purpose, need, and service area. The 2002 Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan("Drought Plan") was created as a stand alone Annex document to the State of Colorado Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The 2002 Drought Plan describes in detail the process for statewide drought planning as well as long-term drought mitigation opportunities. Information on agency responsibilities and existing drought relief programs, drought resources, local drought plans, and contacts for local government outreach and assistance are also included in the Drought Plan. Recommended actions for statewide drought mitigation and response-related actions were recently updated and approved by CWCB at its June 2007 meeting. These actions were developed in support of the federally-mandated 2007 update of the State of Colorado Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Drought Mitigation and Response Plan Implementation Program("Program") seeks to implement these recommendations. Anticipated activities under the Program include: • Formulation of a broad drought vision for the State. This entails a dynamic and accessible drought risk information system that provides Colorado water providers with the capacity to • determine the potential impacts of drought, and the decision-support tools needed to better prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought. • Expanded statewide water conservation and drought planning efforts, including education opportunities for decision makers and the public. Maximizing the wide range of water management tools such as water conservation and reuse,with a focus on reducing outdoor landscape water use,will be particularly effective in responding to drought conditions. • Continued work on a statewide climate change initiative tied to drought planning efforts and the need for comprehensive water adaptation strategies to deal with potential water shortages. • Ongoing participation in the National Integrated Drought Information System(NIDIS) early drought warning system in the upper Colorado River Basin and evaluation of the potential for integration of relevant NIDIS findings/outputs for other basins throughout the State. • Plan and host additional Statewide Drought Conference(s). • Plan and host a series of regional Drought Planning and Mitigation Workshops at various locations throughout the state. • Prioritize completion of local Drought Plans and Vulnerability and Risk Assessments, through the provision of public information/education as well as technical and financial assistance. • Review and potential revisions to technical drought planning toolbox components, including updated Guidance for developing local Water Conservation and Drought • Mitigation Plans. • Develop a database to track key information in local Drought Plans and to allow better integration into future Drought Plan updates. This includes future re-survey(s) of state and local drought vulnerabilities and planning/implementation efforts. 1