I_WMRC_2018A 08/21/2018 01:08:54 PM Committee Summary PUBLICSTAFF SUMMARY OF MEETINGINTERIM COMMITTEE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE Date 08/21/2018 Attendance Becker K. X Carver X Cooke E Fields X Jones X Marble X McLachlan X Thurlow X Exum X Coram X Time 01:08:54 PM to 04:38:38 PM Place SCR 352 This Meeting was called to order by Coram This Report was prepared by Vanessa Reilly Hearing Items Action Taken hEconomic Impacts of Recent Fires on Local Governments & Communities Committee Discussion Only hInsurance Issues Related to Wildfire Committee Discussion Only hMitigation Efforts by Utilities Committee Discussion Only hColorado State Forest Service Committee Discussion Only hDivision of Fire Prevention & Control Committee Discussion Only hUpdate on Gallagher Committee Committee Discussion Only hPublic Testimony Committee Discussion Only hBill Requests Committee Discussion Only Economic Impacts of Recent Fires on Local Governments & Communities - Committee Discussion Only 01:09:25 PM Brandy DeLange, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., and Huerfano County, updated the committee on the impacts of the Spring Fire in Huerfano and Costilla counties. She spoke about ongoing problems after a fire is contained, including flash flooding and home access. 01:15:51 PM DeAnne Gallegos, representing the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, appearing remotely, testified on the economic effects of the 416 Fire. She discussed highway closures, closure of major attractions, and significant decreases in seasonal tourism. Ms. Gallegos answered committee members' questions. 01:29:28 PM Scott Fetchenheier, San Juan County Commissioner, appearing remotely, testified about economic impacts of wildfire in San Juan County. He described the impact of the train and road closures. 01:39:19 PM Julie Westendorff, La Plata County Commissioner, appearing remotely, testified as to the economic impact of wildfire in La Plata County. 01:50:33 PM Tim Walsworth, representing the Durango Downtown Business Improvement District, appearing remotely, testified about the economic impact of the 416 Fire in Durango. He described the challenges related to wildfire, as well as flood, mudslide, and poor air quality. 01:57:16 PM Ms. Westendorff responded to committee members' questions regarding flood insurance coverage. Insurance Issues Related to Wildfire - Committee Discussion Only 02:10:07 PM Carole Walker, representing the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, and Kelly Campbell, representing the Property and Casualty Insurance Association of America, discussed issues related to homeowners' insurance, wildfire, and post-wildfire natural disasters. Mitigation Efforts by Utilities - Committee Discussion Only 02:27:20 PM Diana Leiker and Mac Fellin, representing Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, discussed their vegetation management program. They discussed how their program manages rights-of-way with compatible vegetation, fuel loading within transmission line rights-of-way, and removal of hazard trees that pose a threat to lines. They also discussed the effects of wildfire on their transmission corridors. 02:48:16 PM Chad Nickell, representing Xcel Energy, testified on Xcel's efforts to improve transmission line safety and reliability in the face of wildfire risks. He also discussed utilities' efforts to make their systems more resilient to natural disasters. Colorado State Forest Service - Committee Discussion Only Attachment Tag File Name Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2018A/commsumm.nsf/0/8E940D3F502B...$File/180821 AttachA.pdf?OpenElement 180821 AttachA.pdf Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2018A/commsumm.nsf/0/C356FDCC9AC3...$File/180821 AttachB.pdf?OpenElement 180821 AttachB.pdf 02:57:29 PM Mike Lester, representing the Colorado State Forest Service, distributed two handouts [Attachments A and B], and discussed methods for increasing effectiveness for wildfire mitigation. 03:00:02 PM Mr. Lester discussed several programs that allow the CSFS to partner with other stakeholders to increase effectiveness of wildfire fighting and mitigation efforts, including the Good Neighbor Authority, the Forest to Faucets Partnership, the 2 States - 3 Rivers - 2 Regions Partnership, community wildfire protection plans, and the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program. Division of Fire Prevention & Control - Committee Discussion Only Attachment Tag File Name Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2018A/commsumm.nsf/0/6C197F0870B4...$File/180821 AttachD.pdf?OpenElement 180821 AttachD.pdf Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2018A/commsumm.nsf/0/C4CE75F2E0D8...$File/180821 AttachC.pdf?OpenElement 180821 AttachC.pdf 03:20:11 PM Mike Morgan, Director of the Division of Fire Prevention & Control, updated the committee on current and recent wildfires, and presented the Division's Strategic Plan for Supporting Colorado's Fire Agencies [Attachments C and D]. 03:31:20 PM Mr. Morgan discussed the Division's recommended solutions for improving wildfire mitigation and response. Update on Gallagher Committee - Committee Discussion Only 04:16:57 PM Chris Creighton, representing Legislative Council Staff, provided an update on the bill drafts requested by the Alternative to the Gallagher Amendment Interim Study Committee. Bill Requests - Committee Discussion Only Attachment Tag File Name Attachment http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2018A/commsumm.nsf/0/3EB3DEE9507E...$File/180821 AttachE.pdf?OpenElement 180821 AttachE.pdf 04:27:26 PM Motion Draft bill regarding protected airspace. Moved Coram Seconded Becker K. Yes Carver Yes Cooke Excused Fields Yes Jones Yes Marble Yes McLachlan Yes Thurlow Yes Exum Yes Coram Yes YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 04:28:58 PM Bob Lackner and Megan Waples, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to committee members' questions. 04:30:07 PM Motion Draft bill regarding an updated land use code similar to that enacted in Utah. Moved McLachlan Seconded Becker K. Yes Carver Yes Cooke Excused Fields Yes Jones Yes Marble Yes McLachlan Yes Thurlow Yes Exum Yes Coram Yes YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 04:34:13 PM Mr. Lackner responded to additional questions on the bill request and drafting process. 04:35:15 PM Motion Draft bill regarding the establishment of a Colorado Fire Commission. Moved Carver Seconded Becker K. Yes Carver Yes Cooke Excused Fields Yes Jones Yes Marble Yes McLachlan Yes Thurlow Yes Exum Yes Coram Yes YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 04:36:47 PM Motion Draft bill regarding a modification of the language around fireworks ban. Moved Fields Seconded Becker K. Yes Carver Yes Cooke Excused Fields Yes Jones Yes Marble Yes McLachlan Yes Thurlow Yes Exum Yes Coram Yes YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS 04:36:48 PM Senator Fields distributed a handout related to her bill request [Attachment E]. Public Testimony - Committee Discussion Only 04:20:46 PM Ron Larson, representing Rocky Mountain Biochar Initiatives, discussed biochar applications. 04:38:38 PM Committee Adjourned