Boxelder letter to CO State Senator

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DNR COLORADO 1313 Sherman Street John Hickenlooper, Governor Denver,CO 80203 CO , Colorado Water Mike King, DNR Executive Director .. Conservation Board P(303)866-3441 Department of Natural Resources F(303)866-4474 James Eklund, CWCB Director April 21, 2015 Mrs. Kerry Donovan Colorado State Senator Senate District 5 200 E. Colfax Denver, CO 80203 Re: Boxelder Creek Regional Stormwater Authority Dear Mrs. Donovan: This letter is in response to Mr. Eric Sutherland's testimony at the Senate Agricultural Committee Hearing, held on April 16, 2015, regarding his concerns over the Colorado Water Conservation Board's (CWCB) loan approval to the Boxelder Creek Regional Stormwater Authority (Authority). This letter provides a general overview of CWCB's involvement with these loans,the projects under consideration,the flooding issues in the area, and the purpose of Authority. Background: The Boxelder Creek watershed stretches from the Wyoming/Colorado border on the north to the Poudre River on the south, encompassing approximately 265 square miles. As in any watershed, flooding is a potential danger, which can be exacerbated over time due to development occurring within the watershed. Many Flood Control Districts or Stormwater Authorities have been created throughout the State to evaluate these potential flooding issues on a collaborative/comprehensive basis. In 2005,the communities of Fort Collins, Wellington, Timnath, Windsor and Larimer County formed an alliance to develop a regional solution to address flood hazards along Boxelder Creek. Subsequently, a Boxelder Creek Regional Stormwater Master Plan (Master Plan) was completed in 2006 and the Authority was created in 2008 to implement the recommendations in the 2006 Master Plan. The Authority is a drainage authority formed pursuant to and is governed by 29-1-204.2, C.R.S. (2013), and the Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA), dated August 20, 2008,by and among the Board of County Commissioners of Larimer County,the City of Fort Collins and the Town of Wellington(Member Entities), including all amendments thereto. The Authority receives funding from stormwater service fees and system development fees within the 56 square mile service area that includes approximately 5600 residence and 300 commercial/industrial properties. These fees have historically been collected by Member Entities which then passo o . �w 1Op\ Interstate Compact Compliance •Watershed Protection • Flood Planning a Mitigation •Stream It Lake Protection /Fe , Water Project Loans a Grants •Water Modeling Conservation&Drought Planning Water Supply Planning `R` ' g • g g• PPY g I t* -� �_ 1876 /