Manage Forests To Improve Water Supply Conditions

Section 1 of the act directs the Colorado state forest service to conduct, or contract with one or more entities to conduct, demonstration projects that utilize Colorado's good neighbor authority with the United States forest service to implement forest management treatments that improve forest health and resilience and supply forest products to Colorado businesses and that target a Colorado watershed. Of the $1 million that is currently annually allocated to the state forest service for community watershed restoration, the act allocates at least $200,000 to implement the projects. Section 1 also directs the state forest service, in conjunction with the Colorado water conservation board, to compile and summarize findings from existing studies to quantify and document the relationship between the state water plan and the importance of forest management in protecting and managing Colorado's water resources. The report containing the results of the compilation must be submitted to the general assembly's committees with jurisdiction over natural resources by July 1, 2017.

Section 2 creates within the state forest service the forest health advisory council to provide a collaborative forum to advise the state forester on a broad range of issues, opportunities, and threats with regard to Colorado's forests. The council will be appointed by the governor and legislative leadership and is subject to sunset review in 2021.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)