BOARD00976

• Board Meeting Date: 11/22/1999
• Description: 2000 Legislative Session
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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CWCB Construction Fund. We propose that $250,000 be appropriated from the state's
General Fund (or, if necessary, from the CWCB Construction Fund) to this account for use by
the CWCB Director when:

1. The Director determines, based upon best available information, but in his sole discretion,
that flood or drought conditions are occurring or have recently occurred and that resulting
damage and losses to the State of Colorado and its citizens are likely to be significant;

2. The Director record these findings and the supporting information in a written report to
the DNR Executive Director and other members of the CWCB at least 24 hours prior to
the expenditure of any funds from the Flood and Drought Emergency Response Fund;
and

. 3. The Director notify and proVide additional information as it becomes available to all
members of the CWCB, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, the Chair
of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy and the Chair of
the House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources.

Weare still preparing background information concerning the availability of existing
sources of state and federal funds and on the estimated costs associated with recent flood events
(for aerial photography, collection offield data, assistance in preparing mitigation proposals,
etc.). If you agree to pursue this proposal, we will work with the DNR to identify potential
sponsors for a bill and convert this concept and supporting information into a draft bill and fact
sheets and report back to you at our January, 2000 meeting.

Native Species Conservation Trust Fnnd (24-33-111 C.RS.)

The Native Species Conservation Trust fund is divided into a capital and an operations .
and maintenance account. Currently ninety percent of the funds in the account must be spent on
capital projects.

The General Assembly appropriated $10 million into the fund in 1997. At that time, the
DNR estimated that if the fund operated like an annuity, $17 million would be needed to meet
\ the state's obligations under the Upper Colorado and San Juan Recovery Programs ($9 million)
and the Platte River Program.

The CWCB and its director are required by statute to make a recommendation to the
Executive Director regarding how the money in the trust should be spent each year. The
Executive Director then makes a recommendation to the General Assembly that passes a joint
resolution approving fund expenditures.

More funds are needed to provide adequate capital for the Trust Fund. In January we
may recommend the appropriation of an additional $2 million to $5 million from the
Construction Fund for the Trust Fund. It is our understanding that these funds would be
accompanied by an additional $5 million in General Funds.

You have the authority to undertake capital projects, loan or grant money for projects that
effect the development of Colorado's water and hydroelectric energy resources. According to
statute (37-60-119 C.R.S.) the board may make a decision about providing funds based on the

significance of the project to the development and protection of the water supplies of the state
remphasis adaed). Because of the importance of helping Colorado's citizens address the impacts

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