BOARD01829

• Board Meeting Date: 11/19/2001
• Description: CWC Water Education Foundation
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department ofN atural Resources
13 I 3 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

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MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

TO:
FROM:
DATE:

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

CWCB Members
Dan McAuliffe
November 9,2001

Rod Kuharich
Dire<:for

RE:

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Agenda Item #25b - CWC Water Education Foundation

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director and the CWCB Director may direct and
manage natural resources and environmental educational programs (24-33-I09 CRS).

Following the implementation of a Water Education Initiative that began in 2000 and the distribution of
Severance Tax Trust Operational Account funding for water education activities associated with the
Initiative, the Colorado Water Congress (CWC) submitted a non-reimbursable project application.
The application is based on two CWC two resolutions:

1, That the CWCB continue funding water education via a one-time $2.5 million endowment for a water
education foundation. The foundation would be established within one-year of when the funding is
available. The interest from the endowment would be used to hire a full-time education coordinator
and to produce and distribute new and existing materials approved by the Foundation and the CWCB.

2. The CWCB should allocate $40,000 of the severance tax funds available for education in FY 01-02
toward establishing the foundation. The money should be specifically used to promote continued
coordination among those who support water education and to gather information and promote
decision making so the goal of having the foundation established within one-year can be
accomplished.

We have been meeting with the CWC Education Committee since receiving the application last AugusL

A Memorandum of Understanding between the CWCB and the Colorado River Water Conservation District
is in the final execution stages to allow us to distribute the $40,000 in severance tax fund funds as requested
and approved by the Board.

We have also agreed that rather than providing a lump sum to the CWC, which they would then have to
manage, it is more appropriate to provide a continued source of funds, This would also allow us to annually
oversee and remain a partner with the foundation.

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

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