Laserfiche WebLink
<br />e <br /> <br />tit <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />· the President should appoint a drought "czar" (no agency or department is yet recommended). <br /> <br />National Drought Policy Commission: On October 13, the U.S. National Drought Policy <br />Commission (NDPC) held a public hearing in El Paso, Texas. The meeting was held in conjunction with <br />an International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Western Governors' Association (WGA), <br />Reclamation and Mexico National Water Commission (CNA) drought workshop. The meeting was an <br />extension of a series of drought workshops held in the past throughout the U.S. Its purpose was to <br />improve communication, share information and explore approaches to issues related to drought and water <br />management in general. Two separate panels were organized to present and focus information on the Rio <br />GrandelRio Bravo and the Colorado River Systems in both countries. Panelists addressed current drought <br />conditions, water resources planning and drought management practices, and case studies of successful <br />programs, as well as barriers to success. For more information visit www.fsa.usda.govldrought. <br /> <br />Agency Personnel and Budget <br /> <br />New Staff: We are filling the ranks at CWCB, and it feels great! We recently hired Noreen <br />Chambers to be our Office Coordinator, Steve Biondo to be our Contract Compliance Officer and Tim <br />Feehan to be our Design and Construction Engineer. <br /> <br />Noreen brings lots of experience, organizational talent and enthusiasm to the office. Steve brings his <br />talents as an account (and a cook, he's a graduate ofthe Colorado Culinary Academy!), and Tim worked <br />in a similar capacity for Boulder County for 13 years. <br /> <br />MEGA Board Meeting in Silverthorne: The Minerals, Energy and geology Policy Advisory Board <br />met in Silverthorne on Nov. 9. About one-half ofthe members are newly appointed. Dan McAuliffe gave <br />the board an overview of the CWCB and highlighted the use of Severance Tax Trust Funds for water <br />project construction and local water planning activities. <br /> <br />Governor Owens has appointed Tom Cech from the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District to <br />represent water interests on the board. We will be meeting with Tom in the future to discuss future <br />MEGA Board activities and to begin preparing our FY 2001-2002 requests for severance tax funds that <br />must be presented to the MEGA Board for preliminary approval in May 2000 and for final approval in <br />July 2000. <br /> <br />Senior Staff Meet with SEO: We met with senior staff from the DWR on Oct. 29 to discuss issues <br />of mutual concern. Among the issues we discussed was the preparation of basin fact sheets, priority <br />instream flow segment identification, stream gauges, dam site inventories, the flood and drought <br />conference, potential Construction Fund requests and the abandonment process. As a result of our <br />discussion, DWR is preparing a presentation for our January meeting about the abandonment process. <br /> <br />JBc Hearing Scheduled: On December 13, the DNR is scheduled to appear before the Joint Budget <br />Committee to review and discuss our budget and priorities. <br /> <br />Fact Sheet RFP: The RFP for our water basin fact sheets was released on October 25 and proposals <br />were received November 11. We will review the proposals this week with the goal of having a consultant <br />under contract by Dec. 6. A copy of the final scope of work for the fact sheets is attached. <br /> <br />23 <br />