BOARD01334

• Board Meeting Date: 11/19/2003
• Description: CF Section - En-Bloc Non-Reimbursable Investment Recommendations - CWCB Weather Modification Program
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Shennan Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX, [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

TO:
FROM:

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Larry Lang, Chief - Flood Protection Program
Joe Busto, Flood Protection Program
November 10, 2003
November 20-21 CWCB Meeting
Agenda Item ge-Weather Modification Demonstration Projects

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

DATE:
RE:

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Introduction
The Department of Natural Resources has had a weather modification program since 1972. The program is
designed to permit projects to qualified operators, address and reconcile public concerns through hearings and
reporting and monitor the permits ensure operators are adhering to operational plan submitted at the public
hearing. The CWCB staff and project sponsors also monitor snow water equivalent levels based on criteria that
allows augmentation of snowpack but doesn't allow for snow water equivalent levels above 140% of average on
April I" of every year. In addition to acting as the state regulator and permitting agency for these programs the
CWCB staff believe that the Board should assist in a one time one year demonstration project that is designed to
assist in the cost share ofthe yearly operations with assistance to water conservation and water conservancy
districts.

Discussion
The Utah Division of Water Resources has offered grants to cost share with water users since 1976 from the Utah
water project revolving fund. The CWCB as originally intended assists water conservancy and water conservation
districts in meeting their water needs. The technology of ground based cloud seeding is endorsed by the American
Society of Civil Engineers and World Meteorological Society to enhance snowpack between 5-20%. Testimony
by water users and cloud seeding contractors at the July 2003 CWCB meeting in Pagosa Springs illustrated the
request and need for funding to cost share in the yearly operation of these programs and evaluations showed small
incremental increases in snowpack at very low costs per acre foot ($11-15/ AF). The San Juan Conservancy
District President, Fred Schmidt, explained the need for $5 million in land for a future reservoir site and the need
for a $80,000 cloud seeding program with only a $42,000 yearly operating budget from the mill levy that funds the
San Juan WCD.

Staff Request
The staff of the Flood Protection Section request approval by the Board for a non-reimbursable investment
from the CWCB Construction Fund in the amount of $20,000. The request is to provide funds to only water
conservation district and water conservancy districts that sponsor cloud seeding programs. Specifically the
CWCB will grant $3,333 to six different programs: The San Juan Mountains Program, The Upper San Miguel
Basin Program, the Upper Gunnison Tributaries Program, The Central Rockies Program, and the Grand Mesa
Program. The funds would be made available for the 2003-2004 cloud seeding operational year.

Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board request that the General assembly authorize $20,000 from the Construction
Fund to be appropriated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for a demonstration projects related to the
Weather Modification Permit Program.

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning