BOARD00980

• Board Meeting Date: 1/12/1998
• Description: 1998 Legislative Issues - Water Resources Act of 1998
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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Agenda Item" I Lf cl...

Reps. Smith, Reeser, Miller and George

WATER RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Purpose:

To increase the water resources available to the citizens of Colorado

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. To meet the water compact obligations to which Colorado is a party

. To meet the water needs which may be imposed upon the State of Colorado
in compliance with federal obligation

· To conserve for the beneficial use the water resources of the State of Colorado

. Evaluate existing capacity to maximize efficiency

Section 1

Direct the Colorado Water Conservation Board in cooperation and consultation with the State
Engineer to identify and prioritize water projects and water resource zones for each of the Arkansas,
Rio Grande, South Platte and North Platte Rivers and the four segments of the Colorado River within
18 months of the effective date of the act. (Set Criteria)

Section 2

The Legislature shall select two water projects and one water resource zone for each of the Arkansas,
Rio Grande, South Platte, North Platte River and two projects and one resource Zone for each of the
four segments of the Colorado River including the Mainstem, Gunnison, San Juan Basin, The Yampa
and White Basin. Such designation shall be .waters of state interest. .

Section 3

Department of NatUral Resources, Divisions of Wildlife and Parks and Outdoor Recreation shall
work cooperatively to acquire all properties necessary to support the construction of those areas
designated as Waters of State Interest.

Section 4

In the event that any Waters of State Interest shall be diverted from the River basion of origin. such
transfer shall be in accordance with the State Water Conservancy Act,
CRS 9 37-45-118.

Section 5

Oversight committee shall be appointed from the LegislatUre.

Section 6

Appropriation

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