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., " New Colorado Water Resourtes and Power Development Authority New Board Appointees Confirmed: Govenor Owens has appointed two new members to the Authority's Board of Directors and reappointed one member. New members are Douglas B. Monger of Hayden, to serve as a member from the Y ampa- White drainage basins and as a member experienced in the engineering aspects of water projects, and Clair B. Orr of Kersey, to serve as a member from the South Platte drainage basin and as a member experienced in water project funding. Ann Nichols was reappointed to serve as a member from the Arkansas drainage basin. The Senate tonfmned the appointments and re-appointment on April 6, 2006 as follows: Mr. Orr will serve the remainder of the term previously filled by Louis Rinaldo and expiring on October I, 2008; Mr. Monger and Ms. Nichols will serve terms expiring on October I, 2009. . Ag Sel:retary Johanns Observes Earth Day In Colorado with Conservation Agreements: Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns celebrated Earth Day on April 21 by signing two Colorado Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partnerships totaling $91.6 million that will conserve water and improve wildlife habitat. Johanns signed the agreements during an Earth Day celebration near Wiggins with Colomdo Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Russell George, Colorado Agriculture Conunissioner Don Ament and Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. Following the signing ceremony, Johanns was also joined by FF A volunteers in planting hackberry and juniper trees. The 35,OOO-acre Colorado Republican River CREP will conserve agricultural irrigation water use in the Republican River basin by 5 percent on the eligible 30,OOO-acres. The planting of native grass and other vegetative covers throughout the Republican River CREP are projected to reduce soil erosion by 374,000 tons and reduce the application of agricultural chemicals by 2,900 tons. When fully implemented, the CREP will restore 30 miles of riparian habitat and 500 wetland acres that will improve habitat for targeted fish species. including the stoneca!, suckermouth minnow, brassy minnow and plains minnow. USDA's . Farm Service Agency (FSA) estimates the Republican River CREP's total cost over a 15-year period to be $66.3 million. USDA is contributing $52.8 million and Colorado is funding $13.5 million, including $11.7 million through the Republican River Water Conservation District (RRWCO) Water Activity Enterprise. The Colorado High Plains CREP will increase populations of ring-necked pheasants and other ground- nesting birds by planting habitat, food plots and vegetative covers on the eligible 30,000 acres. On the enrolled acres, the CREP will boost public access and recreational opportunities, such as hunting and bird watching. The High Plains CREP will reduce soil erosion by 160,000 tons each year, while reducing the application of chemicals by 750 tons over a 15-year period. This will improve water quality for eastern Colorado. The High Plains CREP will cost $25.3 million over 15 years, with USDA paying $19.9 million and Colorado funding $5.4 million. For both CREPs,landowners may offer eligible cropland in all or portions of the eastern Colorado counties of Kit Carson, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick and Yuma. Sign-up for both CREPs begins June 12, 2006, at local FSA offices and continues until enrollment goals are met, or through Dec. 31, 2007, whichever comes fIrSt. Enrolled land will remain under contract for 14 to 15 years, as specified in the contract. Additional information about these programs and other key USDA accomplishments is featured on an Earth Day Backgrounder at www.usda.l!ov. Senator AUard Gets Pledge from Forest Servlte Chief: U.S. Senator Wayne Allard said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth pledged on March 30 to re-program Forest Service funding so his agency can carry out vital projects to protect Colorado's watersheds from the worst consequences of the bark beetle . 8