|
<br />- 2-
<br />
<br />Discussion
<br />The Program objective is to provide planning and engineering services for stream restoration studies/projects as well as .
<br />matching dollars for partnering with federal agencies and local governments in the development of Flood Mitigation
<br />studies/projects and to integrate the two objectives, Without the availability of investments from the CWCB Construction
<br />Fund, there is not a reliable source of consistent funding for this program, which has been very successful for recent
<br />projects in Colorado (Le. Roaring Fork multi-objective planning study, Rio Grande headwaters restoration, Alamosa River
<br />watershed restoration, Fountain Creek watershed study, and others). This fund can also work in hannony with the newly
<br />created Watershed Protection Fund (State Tax checkoff item) and the CWCB Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Fund as
<br />appropriate, In addition, CWCB funding can be a state match for leveraging federal and local funds. Recently CWCB
<br />staff has been working jointly on such efforts with federal partners like the V.S, Anny Corps of Engineers and the
<br />Envirorunental Protection Agency, Studies and projects resulting from this program can have far reaching benefits for
<br />water supply (e,g. SWSI), flood protection, enhancement of aesthetic and environmental quality, recreation, an~ increased
<br />economic benefit
<br />
<br />In the past funds have generally been used on a relatively localized basis, from a geographical perspective, Plans have
<br />been prepared for watersheds as small in drainage area as 25 square miles, Typically a large watershed was on the order
<br />of 1000 square miles, This year it is proposed that a project begin to develop plans for each of Colorado's major river
<br />basins (South Platte River, Arkansas River, North Platte River, Rio Grande, Yampa/White Rivers, Colorado River
<br />mainstem, Gunnison River, Animas/San Juan/San Miguel/Dolores Rivers), In each basin an assessment would be
<br />conducted of watershed restoration needs, and those needs would be prioritized. The estimated cost of each assessment is
<br />on the order of $150,000. Full advantage would be taken of studies and plans already prepared or underway within each
<br />basin. Considerations such as the potential location of SWSI projects would be an explicit part of the needs assessment
<br />and prioritization. Each basinwide plan would be funded on a 50-50 basis with local and other partners within each basin.
<br />The end result would be a plan that would then guide the preparation of more localized planning and engineering efforts
<br />for those watersheds within each major basin where a need for such further study was identified and where local partners
<br />to fund and support the preparation of a localized and more detailed plan came forward, With 50-50 cost sharing CWCB
<br />could support half of the cost ($75,000) for up to two such plans each year for the next 4 to 8 years, Staff believes that the.
<br />watershed restoration and flood mitigation program wlll assist with the integration of multiple needs across all CWCB
<br />Sections and wlll include elements such as flood hazard reduction, interstate compacts, instream flows, environmental
<br />and recreational considerations, raw water supply and delivery, and other elements as appropriate.
<br />
<br />Staff Request
<br />The staff of the Flood Protection Section is requesting approval by the Board for a non-reimbursable investment
<br />from the CWCB Construction Fund in the amount of $150,000, The request is to provide funds for planning and
<br />engineering services for paying approximately half of the cost of needs assessment and prioritization planning
<br />efforts for each of Colorado's 8 major river basins, for preparing watershed restoration plans for individual
<br />watersheds within those river basins, for implementation of select projects on a case-by-case basis considering the
<br />value and merits of the projects, the cost of the projects, the availability of state and local funds, and the available
<br />matching dollars from federal grant programs. The CWCB funds, if authorized by the Board and the General
<br />Assembly, would be available for all planning and engineering studies te address teehnieal needs for watershed
<br />restoration and flood mitigation studies and projects throughout the state, Matching funding (cash and/or in-kind
<br />services) will also be required from the local governments and other qualified entities receiving assistance from this
<br />Program.
<br />
<br />The CWCB Watershed Restoration and Flood Mitigation Program has not been funded on a consistent basis,
<br />Funding has been obtained from a variety of sources, in varying amounts from year to year. In order to create a
<br />stable and long-tenn program, staffis asking that the amount of $150,000 be provided on an annual basis, with the
<br />necessary refreshing of that funding being requested by staff each year to ensure consistent funding;
<br />
<br />Staff Recommendation
<br />Staff recommends that the Board request that the General Assembly authorize up to $150,000 annually from the
<br />Construction Fund to be appropriated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for technical activities related to
<br />the Watershed Restoration and Flood Mitigation Program.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection
<br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning
<br />
|