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- 2- mentioned the new fire burning in the South Fort? Area. The Governor has two mojor natural resource concems right nOVJ. The fi~t was worl:?ing with federal agencies to open additional grazing lands to assist ranchers in this drought and to have the Executive Director of Natural Resources coordinate the state and federal efforts to secure as many federal and state grants for watershed restoration and protection in the fire areas. Mr. Knoedler urged that the agencies do their mission but coordinate with the EOo-ONR. A copy of a Jetter to Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman is attached and requests assistance through the NRCS - Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help formers and ranchers implement ~und grazing and farming practices to lessen the impact of the drought on the environment. Knoedler mentioned how the use of GIS and reservoir inventories will be helpful to protect water supplies lil:?e Vallecito, Cheesemen and Unden ReselVoirs. He also mentioned that a number of smaller water supplies have already been affected with sediment and poor water quality. The Govemor plans to mal:?e Colorado Cores Day related to the recent fires and give citizens an opportunity to assist. He also mentioned a letter from Senator Wayne Allard that will see lots of support and funding for watershed and water supply protection. He anticipated that this request for funds will sit through the August recess of Congress and funding might begin as soon as September 2002 FEMA - Wade Nofzlnger Mr. Nofzinger spol:?e about FEMA handling the presidential Disaster declaration and mentioned that Steve Emerv is the federal coordinator and that Tommy Crier of the Office is the state coordinator for the disaster. He mentioned that FEMA advanced Colorado $20 million for fire management grants and that is separate thon the new disaster declaration. The current declaration is aimed at funds for the homeowners that recently lost their homes in the fire. See the FEMA website for more details. http://WWW,fema.oov/reg-viiilfire2002/20million.htm The timeline for the disaster declaration is open which is un~ual and speaRs to the magnitude of the fires. The Disaster Field Office is open and is at 730 Simms Street, Labewood, Colorado. The OFO telephone number is (720) 544-2511. CWCB - Larry Lang The 2002 legislature enacted the Colorado Watershed Assembly (CWA) Bill, Senate 02-87 this year, and it will be in the fonn of a state tax checb off contribution for individuals interested in supporting watershed protection and restoration. Funds from the CVJA Bill are designated to go to the CVJeB. The program will run through the CWeB's Flood Protection Section. Mr. Lang mentioned that FEMA contracted with the BUreau of Reclamation for watershed restoration efforts and the CVJeB will libely be collaborating with the Bureau in the capacity of the eweB's program areas of Flood Response, River Restoration, and Floodplain mapping. Lang mentioned that we have $100,000 to start the program. The other program area the ewCB has that may assist in the fires VJOS a wetland mitigation fund that the legislature amended to enable the ewcs to assist in impaired waters. For flood program, emergency numbers and weather linbs visit the ewcs website http-J/cwcb.state.co.us/ Colorado Department of Public Health" Environment - Chester Pauls Mr. Pauls mentioned that they received funds passed over from the EPA that are called "Section 319" of the Clean Water Act funds for non point source pollutant sources (i.e. sediment, metals. chemicals) drinbing water quality and maintains a significant cash fund from water quality violators that can be available for grants. The problem he posed VJOS Imowing exactly how many watersheds and communities will be affected and how to get the funds to local governments. Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picRs up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into labes, rivers. wetlands. coastal waters. and even our underground sources of drinbing water. These pollutants may be: Excess fertilizers and pesticides from agriculturollands and residential areas: Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production Sediment from unprotected construction sites. crop and forest lands, and eroding stream bonbs; Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines: Bacteria and nutrients from livestocb, pet VXJstes, and faulty septic systems. Their grant cycle is proposals submitted from November 2002 to January 31. 2003 and their decisions are made by April 2003 for next funding cycle. They had 30 applkation for 2002 and were able to fund about 20 of those. Typically they get $24 million 1/2 is used for general program activities and the other half is specifically used for 3030 listed segments of TMOL streams. It is a competitive grant cycle with proposals requested. The governor can step in and require ~e of these funds in forest fire areas otherwise it is a competitive grant cycle. They have no emergency grant provisions. For more Flood PfOl:('(1ion . Water Projea: P'l.lnmng and FinanCUlg. Stream and Lake ProrC\:tlon W,ller Suppl)' Prott'l"tion . Conservation P1anninjl: