Board Meeting Memorandum 09/08/2003 ‎(B)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 9/8/2003
• Description: Non Reimbursable Investments Weather Modification Program Demonstration Projects
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

Non-reimbursable Investment Application-CWCB Construction Fund
Form Revised August 8,2003
member Greg Hoskins stated at the meeting that it looks like its working at relatively low
costs and the CWCB should invest some of its resources in this as it benefits the state as a
whole. This is a one-time one-year grant request. Future year's grant requests will only
come after evaluation and a report from the CWCB staff that illustrates the success and
continued need. The development of guidelines and criteria will be needed for the CWCB
to fund projects that are related to meeting water needs in Colorado.
5. Please explain why you are requesting a non-reimbursable, instead of a loan. (The
Construction Fund exists primarily to provide low interest loans for the construction or
rehabilitation of Raw Water Projects.Non-reimbursable Investments are approved only
when the project or study is of Statewide interest and benefits a wide range of people and
organizations,and/or a large geographical area. The applicant(s)must also show that they
are financially unable to repay a loan):
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The primary reason for this application is drought mitigation assistance on behalf of the
Colorado water users to augment snowpack for the 2004-2005 snow season. There have
been many requests at public hearings and over the phone by water users sponsoring these
projects for state financial assistance(Gunnison County, Southwestern WCD, San Juan
WCD,Upper Gunnison WCD). The funds will be a small state cost share in the programs to
assist water users in paying contractors for cloud seeding programs. A typical 20-generator
program has a yearly operating budget of about$80,000. A$3,333 grant from the CWCB
will act as about a 4%cost share in that size of program. An evaluation by Denver Water
stated that the cost for producing this water was between$13-15 AF with a very high
benefit- cost ratio. Testimony at the CWCB,July 2003 in Pagosa Springs,by John Devore
Gunnison County Manager,stated that every year it is tough for water users to come up
with the funding for these programs and it would be nice for the project managers that raise
these funds to have some state cost share as assistance as they start to put the funding
together to start the year.
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