I_WRARC_2022A 08/04/2022 11:05:40 AM Committee Summary

Julie Tinetti, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, introduced the presentation.

Barbara Biggs, Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, spoke about biosolids and per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in water and materials.

Gabe Racz, Vranesh and Raisch, discussed the current regulation of PFAS and what Colorado is doing to eliminate PFAS at the source.

Committee members asked questions about the removal of PFAS. Ms. Biggs discussed the different technologies that exist to remove PFAS from water. She noted that there are not existing technologies that remove PFAS from biosolids.

Ms. Tinetti and Ms. Biggs answered questions about taking PFAS out of materials.

The committee asked questions about the health effects caused by exposure to PFAS. Ms. Biggs discussed the potential health impacts.

Trisha Oeth, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), introduced the presentation. She discussed the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated health advisories for PFAS. She told the committee that the EPA plans to establish a national rule in late 2022.

Ms. Ris discussed past funding and how money would become available. She answered a question about what types of projects could be funded with additional money.

Ms. Ris spoke about the different Water Plan grant projects and the next steps they are taking.

Kathleen Curry, Gunnison Basin Roundtable, discussed the Water Supply Reserve Fund. She told the committee about how it was created and why.

Ms. Curry spoke about the current needs to help with aging infrastructure.

Les Owen, Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), introduced his presentation. He spoke about irrigation needs and water delivery infrastructure needs.

Mr. Owen spoke about the current programs in CDA and the need for technical assistance across the state.

Ms. Ris answered a question about water storage.

Committee members asked questions about how the basin roundtables distributes money and how the money is used.

Ms. Ris answered questions about water rights and how the grants are distributed.

Ms. Curry spoke about the grant criteria and the constraints that currently exist in state statute.

The committee made comments about the limits on severance tax funding and asked about planning for future funding streams. Ms. Ris talked about other potential sources of funding.

The committee took a break for lunch.

The committee reconvenved.

Jeff Rieker, Eastern Colorado Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, introduced the topic and discussed the workings of the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) Project.

Michael Cassio, President, Three Lakes Watershed Association, introduced his presentation.

Mr. Cassio showed the committee a photo of Grand Lake and spoke about the characteristics of the lake and the design of the current water pumping system.

Mr. Cassio spoke about the impacts of the current system and what a potential study should look at. He spoke about the impacts of population growth on the system and the old pumping technology that the system currently uses.

Committee members asked questions about what the study would entail.

Mr. Cassio spoke about how water rights provide a challenge.

Steve Kudron, Grand Lake Mayor, discussed how important healthy tourism around the lake is to his town.

The panelists discussed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and the need for a clarity standard.

The committee asked questions about the clarity of the water and what is affecting the clarity of the lake.

The committee made comments on the importance of the lake and how the communities rely on its resources. Members asked about how the partnerships on the lake have developed and why this is becoming an ask right now with everything going on in the watershed.

The panelists discussed why it is important to look at how to help the water quality of the lake and others along the entire system.

Esther Vincent, Director of Environmental Services, Northern Water, introduced her presentation on the impacts of transbasin diversions and the C-BT Project.

Ms. Vincent spoke about the different areas of concern, including in the Colorado River and the Three Lakes system. She showed the committee a timeline of the C-BT project.

Ms. Vincent spoke about how the Water Quality Control Commission has watched water quality over the years in Three Lakes system and how the clarity is being managed.

Ms. Vincent discussed the different Grand Lake clarity efforts, adaptive management process, nutrient reduction projects, Learning By Doing aquatic and river health partnership, water temperature mitigation, riparian vegetation monitoring, and the Colorado connectivity channel.

Ms. Vincent discussed her concerns about conducting a study on Grand Lake and its water quality.

Ed Moyer, County Manager, Grand County, spoke about his concerns with a potential study. He echoed Ms. Vincent's comments.

Mr. Reiker spoke about finding feasible, balanced approaches to addressing water quality in the Three Lakes system. He discussed the concerns related to the feasibility of a study and the ability to analyze the entire array of potential mitigation.

The panelists responded to questions about how much information exists and what has been done to address the issue.

Committee members asked questions about the NEPA process that was started. Mr. Reiker spoke about why the process hasn't been carried forward currently.

Greg Deranleau, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), introduced his presentation. He spoke about produced water as exploration and production waste, which is managed by COGCC, associated with the production of oil and gas materials.

The committee members asked questions about the legislation that currently exists in other states. Dr. Stewart talked about how other states are managing the liability that comes with this type of program.

Ms. Kosloff answered a question about why the state wouldn't explore this as an option and about the quality of water.

Dr. Stewart answered a question about how much this water would cost and who could buy the water. He also spoke about what the potential new supply would be with this water.

The committee asked a question about how the water would be transported. Dr. Stewart told the committee about how the water source can be used to augment existing wells rather than moving the water from place to place.

The committee asked questions about how a tax credit would work, how the treatment process would work with agriculture, and how the water permitting would work.

The committee continued to ask questions about the scope of treating the water and how much water could potentially be treated for use.

Mr. Deranleau talked about the potential for water return over time.

The committee asked about how much it costs to treat the water and how that cost could be offset by the tax credit.

Dr. Stewart continued to discuss how the water is treated and how much water would be able to be used.

There was no public testimony.

The committee took a short recess.

Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, spoke about the fiscal note process.

Committee members discussed bill draft ideas.