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<br />requires each state to develop a source water assessment and protection program as a condition for receiving <br />federal water quality protection grants. _ <br /> <br />Dave Hessel, Colorado State Forest, and Fred Patton, U.S. Forest Service, talked about the Upper Soute <br />Platte Project that was implemented to prevent catastrophic forest fires such as the Buffalo Creek fire in 1996. <br />These forests contain important municipal watersheds and a large numbers of homes. Mr. Hessel said that the <br />total cost of the Buffalo Creek fire and subsequent flood was $25 million or approximately $2,100 per-acre. <br />Catastrophic fires such as the Buffalo Creek fire are expected to increase in frequency due to increasing forest <br />density and insect infestations. <br /> <br />Senator Evans distributed a letter from Douglas County Commissioner, James Sullivan, expressing the <br />commissioner's concern about the possible wild and scenic designation of the South Platte River by the U.S. <br />Forest Service. Senator Evans also distributed a draft resolution concerning opposition to the designation of the <br />South Platte River as a wild and scenic river. At the request of Senator Evans, the committee did not act on the <br />resolution. <br /> <br />c. <br />~ <br />" <br /> <br />Greg Walcher, DNR Executive Director, described the recent agreement between California and other <br />Colorado River Basin states concerning California's use of surplus Colorado River water. Walcher also <br />described the importance of the endangered species recovery program to Colorado's water users. He said the <br />upcoming expiration of a the multi-state agreement provides Colorado with an opportunity to renegotiate <br />portions of the recovery program. Specifically, Colorado wants the new agreement to include concrete recovery <br />goals that specify the number of fish for each stretch of the river. He said that the parties have spent several <br />months trying to achieve consensus on the recovery goals. However, the USFWS continues to insist that the <br />goals be based on instream flows and dam operation criteria rather than specific numbers of fishes. The <br />committee discussed the need for additional state funding for the recovery program and public perceptions about <br />the recovery program. <br /> <br />Jack Byers, Assistant State Engineer, described statewide weather conditions for the past year. He <br />explained that the current water shortages are caused by this winter's below average snowfalls, this summer's <br />above average temperatures, infrequent spring rains, and reduced summer monsoon rains. He also described <br />current river flows and reservoir levels for each river basin and compared these figures with the average river <br />flows and reservoir levels. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />For a complete summary see: <br />http://www.state.co.us/govdir/legdir/lcsstaffI2000/comsched/OOSpecWat0920sum.htm <br /> <br />The Committee also recommended that a bill be passed in 2001 to continue the Special Water <br />Committee until July 1,2002 and that the effective date for water replacement requirements for out-of-priority <br />"and post-pumping" depletions in the Denver Basin Aquifer be changed. The bill passed 6-0 with two members <br />absent. Sen. Perlmutter and Rep. Paschall offered to sponsor the draft bill. <br /> <br />A copy of the bill is attached for Board members. Others can review the bill on-line at <br />http://www.state.co.us/gOV dir/leg dir/lcsstaff/2000/ comsched/OOS pec W atB iliA. pdf <br /> <br />Wildlife Interim Committee Recommends CWCB Loans for Fish Hatcheries: An Interim Division <br />of Wildlife Committee met four times over the summer. As the result of the Committee's work, four bills were <br />recommended for the General Assembly's consideration in 200!. The proposed titles are: Wildlife License Fees <br />Decrease Authority; Designate Division of Wildlife an Enterprise; Financial Incentives for Fish Hatcheries; and <br />Habitat Partnership Program. A summary of each hearing can be reviewed on the Internet at <br />http://www.state.co.us/govdir/legdir/lcsstaffI2000/comsched/OODOWsched.htm#Proposed . <br /> <br />A review of the hearing summary does not indicate specifically why or how the CWCB' s constructe <br />Fund was identified as a funding source for fish hatchery clean up. However, at an August hearing, the - <br />Committee heard testimony from the DOW about whirling disease (WD). Walt Graul explained that WD was <br /> <br />6 <br />