BOARD02414

• Board Meeting Date: 9/25/2000
• Description: Directors' Reports
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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propose to discuss are TMDLs, whirling disease, and our continued consultations. At the commissions
last meeting earlier this month, it agreed to this date and one commission member has agreed to work '
with Paul and I on an agenda. I would welcome similar assistance from one of our board members if youe
agree to this date (which corresponds directly to our regularly scheduled January board meeting).

Special Water Committee: The General Assembly's Special Water Committee is scheduled to
meet again in Denver on Sept 20. A copy of the agenda is attached.

George New Division of Wildlife Director: On Aug. 18 Governor Owens commended the
choice of Russell George as the new director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife: "I support today' s
selection of Russ George as the next director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Wildlife Commission
Chairman Bernard Black and DNR Executive Director Greg Walcher conducted a thorough and
inclusive process to select a new wildlife director from among several outstanding applicants. Russ
George has the temperament and experience to strengthen and broaden public support for the Division of
Wildlife's agenda." George officially begins work on Sept. 18.

More Drought Disaster Declarations: On Sept. 10 Governor Owens requested that 10 more
counties be declared disaster areas by the USDA. The counties included Alamosa, Costilla, Hinsdale,
Huerfano, Jackson, Mineral, Rio Grande, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Saguache. Owens said "Farmers and
ranchers across the state have seen their crops and pastures withered by intense drought and damaged
from a late spring freeze. A severe hailstorm also damaged our anticipated grain and hay yields in parts
of the Western Slope. Colorado's agricultural industry is in dire need of relief and assistance."

If the USDA designates these areas disaster-impacted counties, producers will be eligible for the
Emergency Loan Program and other USDA assistance. Farmers and ranchers in the impacted areas
would then need to go to their local USDA Farm Service Agency to apply for funds.

To date, Governor Owens has asked the USDA for a disaster declaration for a total of 29
counties. Federal disaster designation has been granted to eight counties: Delta, Logan, Phillips,
Washington, Moffat, Kiowa, Sedgwick, and Larimer Counties. Counties that are in the final stages of
receiving USDA action include Morgan, Montezuma, Archuleta, Dolores, conejos, Eagle, Garfield, La
Plata, Pueblo, and San Miguel. Boulder was denied approval due to lack of documented damage in the
county.

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CWCB Community Assistance Program (CAP) and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Program Update: These two programs are funded annually from FEMA Region 8 (through the Colorado
Office of Emergency Management). Each year the cWcB receives approximately $92,000 to fund the
Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (cAP-SSSE). The program's objective
is to reduce flood hazards in Colorado's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) communities. The
cAP-SSSE enables the cWcB to provide technical assistance to Colorado's NFIP communities to promote
floodplain management practices consistent with the intent of the National Flood Insurance Program.
CWcB staff will continue to work with NFlP communities to: 1) identify and resolve floodplain
management issues before they result in an enforcement action by FEMA, 2) reduce losses from flood
hazards based on objective benchmarks established by the state, and 3) incorporate new and innovative
objectives to reduce future flood damages. FY 01 CAP activities include:

1- Provide assistance to 45 Colorado NFlP communities in administering the regulatory, administrative and
mapping requirements of the program.
2 - Facilitate adoption of local flood hazard mitigation plans in four selected communities.
3 - Two newsletters on flood hazard reduction and flood hazard mitigation during the 2nd ande
4th quarters. One news release prior to the spring flood season.
4 - Assist three communities to enter the NFlP's Community Rating System.

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