CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE
INTERIM COMMITTEE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Jul 2, 2024
Location Old State Library
Presentation from the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado State Forest Service - Committee Discussion Only
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09:19:00 AM |
Alison Lerch, representing
the Department of Natural Resources, and Chris Strum, representing th Department
of Natural Resources, presented to the committee. A copy of the presentation
was provided to the committee (Attachment D). Ms. Lerch discussed Senate
Bill 21-258, which addressed wildfire risk mitigation. She discussed the
Colorado Forest Health Council, which is a 26 member council, and the Colorado
Strategic Wildfire Action Plan (COSWAP) that addresses funding and workforce
development, including Department of Corrections' State Wildland Inmate
Fire Team (SWIFT) crews. Ms. Lerch presented information about the COSWAP
discussions with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
and COSWAP grants.
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09:29:52 AM |
Ms. Lerch highlighted several COSWAP projects, including projects in Pueblo, Longmont, and Grand Junction.
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09:34:14 AM |
Mr. Strum reviewed
information about the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and the
Wildfire Ready Action Plan, established through Senate Bill 21-258.
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09:37:26 AM |
Ms. Lerch discussed Senate Bill 23-270, which addressed projects to restore natural streams systems. She discussed the efforts to implement the bill.
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09:39:08 AM |
Mr. Strum and Ms. Lerch responded to questions from the committee. Ms. Lerch further explained the COSWAP funding selection process.
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09:47:09 AM |
James Lucero, representing
the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), presented to the committee. A
copy of his presentation was distributed to the committee (Attachment E).
Mr. Lucero reviewed the agency profile. He provided information on Forest
Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Program, including Senate
Bill 17-050; the monitoring done through the program; and demand for funding
through the program. Mr. Lucero discussed the success of the FRWRM Program.
He stated that there have been 105 completed projects that have treated
over 8,700 acres and that the FRWRM Program has awarded approximately $35
million in grant awards.
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10:01:49 AM |
Mr. Lucero discussed
the Live Wildfire Ready campaign. He referenced House Bill 24-1024, which
requires the CSFS to continue its enhanced wildfire awareness outreach
campaign through 2027. He discussed the outreach efforts of the campaign.
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10:06:41 AM |
Mr. Lucero discussed the CO IRA Urban and Community Forest Grant Program, which is providing $1.6 million in the first round of funding.
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10:09:03 AM |
Mr. Lucero and Teddy
Parker-Regna, representing the CSFS, responded to questions from the committee,
including providing information on the CSFS nursery, healthy forests, and
the position of tree equity specialist. Mr. Lucero further explained the
CSFS nursery and the funding for the nursery.
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