Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />.~ <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Colorado Watershed Protection Fund <br />Grant Program Guidance <br />January 2003 <br /> <br />A. Background <br /> <br />Senate Bill 02-087, adopted by the 2002 Colorado General Assembly, establishes the Colorado <br />Watershed Protection Fund (the Fund). The legislation authorizes the Fund be added to the 2003 <br />Colorado Individual Income Tax Refund Check-off Program to give taxpayers the opportunity to <br />voluntarily contribute to watershed protection efforts in Colorado. The legislative declaration <br />states: <br /> <br />The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the natural heritage and quality of <br />life in Colorado are of fundamental importance to the citizens of the state, and the <br />protection of this natural heritage and quality of life are essential to sustain economic <br />development in the state. The general assembly further finds and declares that locally <br />based watershed groups have emerged around the state over the past decade that are <br />committed to collaborative approaches to the restoration and protection of lands and <br />natural resources within Colorado's watersheds in concert with economic development. <br />The general assembly recognizes that the Colorado Watershed Assembly, a nonprofit <br />corporation, serves as a state-level umbrella organization for such local groups. The <br />general assembly further recognizes that the citizens of Colorado may be willing to <br />provide funds to assist in the restoration and the protection of lands and natural resources <br />within watersheds of the state. It is therefore the intent of the general assembly enacting <br />this part 23 to provide Colorado citizens the opportunity to support local watershed <br />efforts by allowing citizens to make a voluntary contribution on their state income tax <br />returns for such purpose. <br /> <br />The legislation provides that moneys collected in the Fund wi11 be made available in a grant <br />program established jointly by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Water Quality <br />Control Commission, in cooperation with the Colorado Watershed Assembly. <br /> <br />The Colorado Water Conservation Board (the Board) is the state executive branch agency <br />responsible for state water policy and planning. The Board's mission is to promote the <br />protection, conservation and development of Colorado's water resources and minimize the risk <br />of flood damage. Its major programs include Water Supply Protection; Water Supply Planning <br />and Finance; Conservation and Drought Planning; Flood Protection; Instream Flow and Natural <br />Lake Protection; and Water Information. <br /> <br />The Water Quality Control Commission (the Commission) is the administrative agency <br />responsible for developing specific state water quality policies, in a manner that implements the <br />broader policies set forth by the General Assembly in the Colorado Water Quality Control Act. <br /> <br />Draft #4; Ii] 0!20f13! '] 0.'2003 !I>'?{),H <br />