BOARD01941

• Board Meeting Date: 11/25/2002
• Description: Technical Assistance to Covered Entities
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

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

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

GregE. Walcher
Executive Director

TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:

CWCB Finance Subcommittee
Brad Lundahl, Dan McAuliffe
September 15,2002
Agenda Item #21g -- Technical Assistance to Covered Entities

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Background

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The relative importance of water conservation planning, especially as it relates to the management
of water supply and demand in preparation for drought conditions, is obvious given the current status of
drought statewide. The earnest review of current water conservation planning efforts in the state
(embodied by those plans on records with the CWCB), and the evaluation of the current "state of the
science" standards for conservation planning in the water short west, will be most illuminating in helping
the CWCB to determine the following issues;

. Should the threshold for communities required to create and implement water conservation
plans be lowered from the current standard of2,000 acre feet per year;
. What kind of support should the CWCB provide to communities required to prepare water
conservation plans;
. What kind of support should the CWCB provide to communities wanting to prepare water
conservation plans; and
. What level of support should the CWCB commit to providing the requested and needed
support?

The importance of answering these questions can be underscored by the following:

. Water conservation plans are a prerequisite for the CWCB loan applications for any covered
entity; and

. By receiving technical assistance, covered entities will be afforded state support in developing
and implementing long-term solutions to water and drought management.

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Currently, there are approximately 400 covered entities in the state based on the existing criteria

(i.e., greater than 2,000 acre-feet per year use). Roughly 12% (i.e., 54) of these entities have water

conservation plans on file with the CWCB. In addition, recent discussions with Division engineers within

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Plaruting