S_AGR_2018A 03/28/2018 11:50:27 AM Committee Summary

Senator Coram, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill18-218 concerning the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Construction Fund. The bill appropriates funds from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund in the Department of Natural Resources for specific water-related projects in FY 2018-19 and makes several cash fund transfers. Appropriations are for FY 2018-19 only, but funds for most projects are available until fully expended.

Becky Mitchell, Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board, spoke in support of the bill and identified spending from the CWCB Construction Fund. She also discussed programs funded by the 2017 CWCB Construction Fund law including appropriations to implement the Colorado Water Plan. She also responded to questions from the committee concerning funds to address high groundwater in the South Platte Basin.

Doug Villsak, Legislative Liaison, Department of Natural Resources, responded to questions from the committee concerning funding to address high groundwater in the South Platte Basin.

The chair closed testimony and Senator Coram closed his remarks on the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned from recess.

Senator Coram, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of House Bill18-1069 concerning reclaimed water use for flushing toilets. This bill codifies rules promulgated by the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) related to the allowable uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater, and expands allowable uses to include toilet and urinal flushing in multifamily residential structures and in nonresidential structures. In addition, the bill defines three categories of water quality standards.The WQCC is required to promulgate new rules related to reclaimed wastewater no later than December 31, 2019. The WQCC is also authorized to: create new categories of water quality standards; recategorize any of the allowable uses to a less stringent category; and authorize additional uses. Variances may be granted from the standards if the proposed usage will sufficiently protect public health and the environment.

Heather Stauffer, Denver Water, spoke in support of the bill and discussed current uses of reclaimed water for landscape irrigation and other purposes.  She also responded to questions from the committee about how water is recycled.

Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Coram, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of House Bill18-1147 concerning the continuation of the weather modification program. Specifically, this bill continues the issuance of permits for specific weather modification operations in the Department of Natural Resources that is set to repeal September 1, 2018. It also repeals a provision that prohibits weather modification that affects another state if the other state prohibits weather modification that benefits Colorado or its inhabitants.

Becky Mitchell, CWCB Director, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the CWCB's regulation of weather modification operations.

Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the bill.

Doug Villsak, Legislative Liaison, Department of Natural Resources, responded to questions from the committee concerning the regulation of weather modification operations.

The chair closed testimony and Senator Coram closed his remarks on the bill.