PUB00093

• Year: 2004
• Title: State of Colorado's Watersheds Report
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Colorado Watershed Assembly
• Description: An Annual Report
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

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Colorado Department
of Public Health
and Environment

Report Summary
The "draft" S8 03-276 report
discussed in the following paragraphs
is arguably the single most important
doeulllent produced by the Water
Quality Control Division (WQCD) in
the past decade. Maintenance of the
quality of the state's water resources so
that they are safe to drink; can support
a diversity and abundance of tish and
other aquatic life; and are suitable for
recreation, irrigation. and commercial
use is unquestionably a matter of great
importance and statewide concern.
SB 03-276, which removed general
fund monies from the State water
quality programs. directed the WQCD
to evaluate both its business practices
and future funding options relative to
the continued performance of its duties
under the two water quality protection
statutes -- the federal Clean Water Act
and the federal Safe Drinking Water ~
Act. This report reflects a compilation ~
of information assembled in response 15
to the specific questions posed in the ~
bill. as well as stakeholder requests ~
which arose in the context of the ~
SB 03-276 study efforts. 1:i
"-

Revised Funding Practices
SB 03-276, as adopted in the 2003
legislative session. removed the general
fund monies frolll the State Clean
Water Act and Safe Drinking Water
Act programs and replaced that revenue
with increased wastewater permit
fees and new fees for drinking water

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providers. The bill simultaneously
directed the WQCD to undertake
a study of its business practices
and future funding options. The
Division is to file a report addressing
these topiec with the legislature by
December I. 2004. The increased
fees established in the bill sunset on
June 30, 2005.

Stakeholder Input
The legislature requested that the
above referenced study be conducted
in consultation with the \Vater Quality
Control Commission. the Board of
Health, and interested parties. In
fulfilling this legislative directive, the
Division has held numerous public
meetings across the state and circulated
two customer surveys. In addition.
it has briefed both the Commission
and the Board of Health and received
comments from these agencies.

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Taylor Resen.oir

S8 03-276, which
removed general fund
monies from State water
quality programs, also
precipitated evaluation
of WQCD business
practices and future
funding options.

The '"draft'" S8 03-276 report
reflects the input received to date
from stakeholders. Funding options
discussed in the report are those
identified in the course of the public
outreach efforts and do not reflect
the views or recommendations of
the Division. However, as this study
process progresses. including the
completion of a new round of public
meetings for the "draft" report. the
Department will be preparing a specific
recommendation relative to the future
direction of the water programs and
their funding sources. This will be
reflected in a proposal for legislation
prepared by the Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment
(CDPHE), which will have to be
advanced for legislative action in order
to fill the gap left by the sUllset of the
S8 03-276 fees.
Your continued participation in
this ongoing process is very much
appreciated.

You may request copies and also
email comments to the \VQCD
through
susan.saul@.state.co.us