s_agr_2017a_2017-04-06t13:37:40z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/06/2017

Location: SCR 357

01:55 PM -- SB 17-235



Senator Crowder and Senator Todd, co-prime sponsors, described the provisions of Senate Bill 17-235 concerning a pilot project for seaplanes landing in state parks and distributed a resolution of the Colorado Aeronautical Board concerning seaplanes (Attachment B). Current Division of Parks and Wildlife rules prohibit seaplanes from landing in or taking off from state park bodies of water. No later than June 1, 2018, the division is required to create a pilot project that allows seaplanes to land on at least two lakes located at different state parks. The Parks and Wildlife Commission will choose lakes on which the use of motorboats is allowed and the division has the right to control the use of the surface. The seaplane is required to comply with all federal and state laws applicable to aircraft and vessels. Before a pilot lands on waters of the state at a state park the pilot is required to be certified in aquatic nuisance species identification, inspection, and decontamination techniques; land the seaplane at a specific Colorado airport for inspection and decontamination; communicate with park personnel where the seaplane will land; and purchase a park pass for that park. As long as the pilot does not land on another body of water, aquatic nuisance inspection and decontamination is only required every 30 days. The pilot project is repealed September 1, 2020.



170406 AttachB.pdf



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:03 PM -- Kristin Green, Conservation Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of invasive species to Colorado water ways.



02:07 PM -- Chris George, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill .



02:09 PM -- Chris Gibbons, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:10 PM -- Less Gregor, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about overuse and crowding of Colorado's lakes.



02:11 PM -- Mark Keeft, Colorado Marine Dealers Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:14 PM -- David Garacke, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about overuse and crowding of Colorado's lakes.



02:18 PM -- David Crowley, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about overuse and crowding of Colorado's lakes.



02:21 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of invasive species to Colorado water ways. She also discussed budget shortfalls in the state's aquatic nuisance species (ANS) program and responded to questions from the committee about ANS in other states and the basis for her opposition to the bill.



02:31 PM -- Brad Wind, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways. He also discussed the cost of ANS control programs and responded to questions about the impact and challenge of controlling ANS



02:37 PM -- Elizabeth Brown, ANS Program Coordinator, Division of Parks and Wildlife, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways. She also discussed budget shortfalls in the state's ANS program due to declines in severance tax revenue and responded to questions from the committee about seaplanes on private lakes in Colorado and training for state ANS inspectors.



02:47 PM -- Keith Taylor, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about overuse and crowding of Colorado's lakes and the spread of ANS.



02:50 PM -- Margaret Taylor, Division of Parks and Wildlife, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways and the use of sea planes in Colorado during emergencies.



02:58 PM -- Justin Jones, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways. He also discussed measures and costs to mitigate the impact of ANS.



03:04 PM -- Michael Charpentier, Colorado Marine Dealers Association, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about overuse and crowding of Colorado's lakes.

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03:05 PM -- Brandon Ranson, Denver Water, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways.



03:10 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways. He also responded to questions from the committee about ANS identified in Colorado waterways.



03:13 PM -- Jen Boulton, Audubon Society of Colorado, Colorado Trout Unlimited, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways.



03:16 PM -- Kellen Freidlander, Colorado Marine Dealers Association, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about overuse and crowding of Colorado's lakes and the spread of ANS.



03:19 PM -- Cleve Wortham, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about over use and crowding of Colorado's lakes.



03:21 PM -- Pat Ratliff, South Metro Water Supply Authority, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the spread of ANS to Colorado water ways.



03:22 PM -- Raymond Hawkins, Seaplane Pilots Association, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a checklist for seaplane inspections and a copy of his testimony (Attachment C). He also discussed seaplane landings on Lake Merideth, a private lake in Colorado, and responded to questions from the committee about certification for seaplane pilots, length of lake needed to takeoff land a seaplane, and environmental impacts from seaplanes.



170406 AttachC.pdf



03:35 PM -- Gary Toby, Colorado Pilots Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed certification and training for seaplane pilots and the risk of seaplanes colliding with boaters.



03:39 PM -- Ed Kleiman, Celtech, spoke in support of the bill and responded to prior testimony about ANS inspections and risks to boaters. He also discussed use of seaplanes for firefighting and responded to questions from the committee about amphibious planes used to fight wildfires.



03:50 PM -- Chris Swathwood, Colorado Aviation Business Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the regulation of seaplanes in other states.



03:54 PM -- Jessica Freeman, Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed use of seaplanes for firefighting. She also responded to questions from the committee about the risk of ANS being spread by seaplanes.



03:57 PM -- David Couch, UAS Colorado, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the use of seaplanes for firefighting.



03:59 PM -- Cheryl Baker, Lake Aircraft, spoke in support of the bill and discussed economic benefits of expanded use of seaplanes in Colorado. She also responded to questions from the committee about seaplane boat accidents.



04:02 PM -- John Mellema, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.



04:09 PM -- Mr. Hawkins returned to respond to questions from the committee about the risk of ANS being spread by seaplanes.



04:10 PM



The chair closed testimony, and Senator Crowder and Senator Todd closed their remarks on the bill.