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<br />than average for the last five years. State Parks reservations were down 3% for the year. <br />The rafting industry is very concerned about the runoff again this year as they have for <br />the last three years. About half of the rafting occurs on the Arkansas River and those <br />revenues were down 45% last year. The golf industry is closing some golf courses for a <br />couple of months during the winter and will open again in the Spring depending on the <br />precipitation and water restrictions. It appears that the golf and rafting industries are <br />among those feeling the worse impact of the drought. <br /> <br />Mary Halstead and Robin Knox. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Wildlife Report <br />There is no crisis for the feeding of big game herds now, but come Spring there will be <br />another crisis for the bears. License sales are down in the fishing industry. They will <br />wait until Spring to finalize the status of the fish hatcheries because of the decrease in <br />stream flows. The fishing industry will depend on where the water exists. <br /> <br />Carl N orbed:. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Health Report <br />Carl explained that the Health Department has three areas of involvement with the <br />impacts of drought and fire: (1) water quality in the streams and lakes; (2) drinking water <br />treatment systems; and, (3) wastewater systems. Safe drinking water is stressed because <br />of the water supply shortages and other impacts such as fire and damages to watersheds; <br />such as, Denver in the Cheesman area. At the town of Bayfield, the sediment destroyed <br />filters affecting the water quality, which also affects water quantity. At Bear Creek many <br />fish were killed. The Health Department has provided technical assistance and financial <br />help by funding to communities. They now have fact sheets and a letter going out to <br />determine water problems in the communities. <br /> <br />Joe Lambert. Energy Loss Report <br />Mr. Lambert explained they are having no major problems and that the Forest Service is <br />working with them to protect energy transmission lines. <br /> <br />Rich Homann. Colorado State Forest Service. Wildfire Protection Report <br />Rich explained there is very little snow cover at the lower elevations, and there are <br />downed dead fuels that need moisture. Lack of moisture over time makes the forest more <br />susceptible to insect outbreaks that kill trees, which has caused more standing and <br />downed dead fuel. The living trees are dry also. Ifwe could get frequent precipitation <br />from April through June we wouldn't have as bad a problem as we did last year. Last <br />year, the fire season lasted all year long beginning in the Spring, before the grass turned <br />green, and then more fuel dried out even before the Fall fire season causing fires every <br />month. The wind was also a major factor to the fires. Last year the Governor stepped in <br />at the State Parks and Forest Service request. <br /> <br />Bob Steger. Denver Water <br />Mr. Steger stated that Denver's reservoirs are 45% full now; however, they should be 75- <br />80% full this time of the year. Denver Water is preparing to announce their proposed <br />water restrictions for the Summer in mid April. <br />