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<br />that have been developed by the Tourism Office. She also reported that wildfire seemed <br />more of a concem than low water for rafting bookings. <br /> <br />Rich Holman. Wildfires <br />Mr. Holman reported that the 2003 outlook for fire activity intensity would be delayed in <br />comparison to last year. There is much heavy fuel down now, and it will take a while to <br />recover. If we have a normal spring with precipitation, we won't have a lot of fire <br />activity until mid June. However, he said that later in the summer, fire activity would be <br />above average because of the previous and continued drought conditions. Mr. Holman <br />stated that Colorado would continue to see secondary impacts from last year. Insects and <br />disease will still be a concern especially with the Pinion trees. <br /> <br />Mr. Holman stated that the North Front Range and the Northwest comer up to Wyoming <br />are considered to be "hot spots" this next year for normal fire activity. He explained <br />there were several different types of planes to fight fires, and that the type of planes that <br />went down last year are grounded and won't be used again. There are usually two to <br />three planes stationed in Colorado, but this next year we will have just one slurry bomber <br />type aircraft located in Durango. Lastly, Mr. Holman said the single engine aircraft are <br />good for the initial fire attack and will be positioned in Colorado where needed. <br /> <br />Marv Halstead. Wildlife <br />Ms. Halstead stated that DOW would be doing many of the same things they did last <br />year. They are making a watch list of streams, reservoirs, and lakes to monitor, because <br />they know some will be critical by July. She mentioned that the Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board had initiated a statewide review of decrees last year of instream flow <br />rights, which helped with the drought and instream conditions. Ms. Halstead stated that <br />last year DOW issued drought mitigation licenses for hunting elk which resulted in a new <br />state harvest record of elk. She also explained that there was an economic impact as far <br />as a decrease in fishing licenses, and that this year they would market to bring fishing <br />back up. <br /> <br />Bob McLeavv. Agriculture <br />Mr. McLeavy reported that agriculture conditions have improved slightly because of the <br />big snowstorm. He said that some reservoirs are showing signs of slow recovery, but that <br />we are still in a drought. He indicated that the surface moisture is much improved and as <br />a result the winter wheat crop is showing signs of life as it warms up. He mentioned that <br />we would need precipitation to complete the wheat crop, but that it's a sign of hope for <br />this year. Mr. Mcleavy explained that agriculture was severely impacted last year. The <br />southwest area of the state is a problematic area, because they didn't get any snow. The <br />southeast area is not as prepared to deal with the spring as other areas. Lastly, he said the <br />northeast portion of the state and the Front Range areas are the best portions of the state, <br />because they will benefit from the snowpack and reservoirs. <br /> <br />Kristen Corash. OSPB. Economic Impact <br />Ms. Corash introduced Janet Rogers, Economist, to do a review of the Economic report. <br />