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;.... "'... 298 . The risk of flooding has not been raised as a significant concern in the Alamosa River valley. One of the significant components of the $150,000 request would be work specifically designed to improve irrigation structures along the river. The remainder of the work would be aimed at channel improvements at locations not addressed by the earlier $300,000 grant. Those improvements are all intended to meet the purposes listed above. The $150,000 would, therefore allow the geographic expansion of the project and it would allow the provision of assistance to users of individual irrigation structures so their structures could function better. The Alamosa-La Jara Water Conservancy District sent a letter to the Board staff on January 3, 2001. That letter was shared with the Finance Committee. In the letter the District state "This financial request is most likely the last one the ARWRP will ask from the CWCB." At this point it appears that the district's plan is to pursue alternative funding for any portion of the river restoration that is not included within the $300,000 or the proposed $150,000. A final issue that should be touched on briefly is the TABOR issue. At present the district is unable to spend the $300,000 because of TABOR limitations. Two alternative approaches are being pursued. The district is planning on a "de-Brucing" election in November 2001. The other approach that is being pursued is the creation of a non-profit entity to perform the river restoration. Work is proceeding on the creation of the Alamosa River Watershed Restoration Foundation. Because there are two possible approaches to this issue, the Board will have to keep open the possibility of funding . either of the two entities (the Conservancy District or the non-profit foundation). Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board request the General Assembly to authorize $150,000 from the Construction Fund to be appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources for allocation to the Alamosa-La Jara Water Conservancy District or the Alamosa River Watershed Restoration Foundation for river restoration and irrigation structure improvements on the Alamosa River. BOARDMEMIj.n 2001\15.0 .