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<br />Agriculture-- <br />Reagan Waskom. CSU Cooperative Extension, <br />Mr. Waskom explained that the barley, onion, and chile beans were already planted and that the <br />recent moisture has made the grasses respond well in the spring rains for pasture conditions. He <br />mentioned that 50% of the state's range was rated poor, and that the rains came too late for the <br />eastern plains. Mr. Waskom said the farmers are hoping for a fair wheat crop, and the southwest <br />range looks a lot like 2002. He said the western slope range is looking good, and the San Louis <br />Valley barley is doing good because of the moisture there. Mr. Waskom stated that agriculture <br />needs good summer and spring rains. <br /> <br />Stephanie Delgar. Tourism <br />Ms. Delgar said she would give an update from the industry sectors. <br /> <br />Rafting: Rafting did a good recovery in 2003 from 2002. <br /> <br />Golf: The golf industry didn't have their drought impact report ready, but they may have it <br />next week. She said that the early wann temperatures brought golfers out early, and they are <br />concerned about the grass. <br /> <br />Restaurants: Restaurants are continuing to serve water only on request and are switching to <br />drought tolerable plants. They are also watering plants with left over ice cubes. <br /> <br />Camping Grounds: Good -- nothing specific to report. However, she said some parks are <br />trying to do their own cleanup of downed trees and branches to decrease the fire hazard. <br /> <br />Ms. Delgar also mentioned that the Tourism Office itself is doing its own impact report because <br />of the drought. <br /> <br />Randal Ristau. Department of Health <br />Mr. Ristau stated there were no new projects related to water drinking systems due to the limited <br />funding; however, he mentioned there was much activity because of what they initiated last year. <br /> <br />Kristin Corash. OSPB. Economics <br />Ms. Corash was in attendance but did not have anything new to report for this meeting. <br /> <br />Barrv Cress. Department of Local Affairs <br />Mr. Cress said that he has not heard of many systems who are having problems with demands <br />yet; however, he knows that the San Louis Valley is more dry than other areas. He said as far as <br />domestic water systems go, a small system in Costilla County (a county owned system having <br />trouble with a reservoir well) has contacted them for emergency funding. Mr. Cress said that <br />DOLA would be working with them. He also said that the majority projects coming in now for <br />funding are conservation water projects instead of water quality. They all seem to have a <br />conservation component and are seeking funding for metering, leaking distribution lines, and to <br />improve supplies. Mr. Cress said they have a set of funding applications now for eight water <br />projects for an April 1 deadline. He said most of these also have a conservation element <br />associated with them. <br /> <br />Mr. Cress announced that DOLA is also holding water and sewer workshops coming up in May. <br />There are six of them and they are half-day events. <br />