I_WRRC_2017A 08/23/2017 01:30 PM Committee Summary

01:37 PM -- Proposed Changes to CWRPDA Loan Programs



Mike Brod, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA), introduced himself to the committee. Mr. Brod discussed a proposed statute modification which would update the legal framework for the state's Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF) and Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) loan programs to align them with the federal Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. Mr. Brod distributed a fact sheet explaining the statute change (Attachment A). Current law limits Colorado's WPCRF loan term to 20 years plus construction. Amendments to the federal act allow for longer terms, therefore CWRPDA proposes to update the state statute to allow for a 30-year term, plus construction. Mr. Brod responded to questions from the committee.



Attachment A.pdf



01:47 PM



Senator Sonnenberg announced that the committee will be conducting a listening session regarding the Colorado Water Plan as a part of the meeting.



01:48 PM -- Update from Northern Water (NISP, Senate Bill 17-282, and Windy Gap Firming



Eric Wilkinson, General Manager, Northern Water, introduced himself to the committee.





01:50 PM



Carl Brouwer, Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) Project Manager, introduced himself to the committee and gave a brief background of NISP. Mr Brouwer distributed a map of the NISP Refined Conveyance (Attachment B) and a map showing the NISP as a whole (Attachment C). Mr. Brouwer discussed the yield of NISP, which is approximately 40,000 acre-feet, and how NISP would increase storage. He discussed Glade Reservoir and associated improvements, such as new inlet and outlet works, a new pump station, and a road relocation. Mr. Brouwer also discussed the South Platte Water Conservation Project and the permitting status for the project. Mr. Brouwer stated that the design of the Glade Reservoir is underway and construction on the reservoir should begin by 2020. He stated that the reservoir should be online by 2025, with the South Platter Water Conservation Project being online by 2026.



Attachment B.pdf Attachment C.pdf



02:00 PM



Jerry Gibbens, NISP Mitigation Coordinator, introduced himself to the committee and provided a brief history and status of fish and wildlife mitigation, as it relates to NISP. He gave a background of the State of Colorado Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Enhancement Plan (FWMEP), and described the NISP FWMEP. He discussed the cost of the plan and the effects the plan has on the stream flow of the Poudre River. Mr. Gibbens discussed the funding of the FWMEP and the effects of NISP on fish and wildlife in the region.



02:11 PM



Mr. Brouwer responded to questions from the committee concerning the cost of the relocation of Highway 287 as a part of NISP. He discussed the involvement and coordination the project has had with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the cost of the relocation project. Mr. Brouwer responded to further questions from the committee regarding the amount of water being pumped into Glade Reservoir from the Cache La Poudre River. He discussed the hydrology of the Poudre River. Mr. Gibbens answered questions from the committee regarding conservation easements in the NISP-affected areas and how the FWMEP would affect hunting and fishing access.



02:27 PM



Mr. Brouwer discussed the Glade Reservoir and South Platte Water Conservation water rights and how NISP would affect downstream water right holders.



02:29 PM



Mr. Wilkinson discussed the environmental reservoir release dedications on the Poudre River under Senate Bill 17-282. The bill would have created a process by which a storage water right owner may obtain a water court decree authorizing releases to be delivered downstream for decreed beneficial uses by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The releases would be used in the intervening stream reach to preserve or improve the natural environment, if certain conditions were met. Mr. Wilkinson discussed possible future legislation that would create a similar process. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the proposed legislation. Committee discussion ensued regarding SB 17-282 and the construction of storage projects and other mitigation projects. Mr. Wilkinson responded to additional questions from the committee.





02:42 PM



Mr. Wilkinson discussed the Windy Gap Firming Project and gave the committee a brief background of the project. The project has 12 participants and seeks to build Chimney Hollow Reservoir to provide an additional yield, no matter the hydrology, of 30,000 acre-feet a year. The project would cost approximately $400 million. The final environmental impact statement was finished in 2011. Mr. Wilkinson distributed a map of the area impacted by the project, noting where the proposed reservoir would be constructed (Attachment D). Mr. Wilkinson discussed how the Windy Gap Project would tie into the Colorado Big Thompson Project and gave an update of the current timeline of the project and funding of the project. Mr. Wilkinson responded to questions from the committee regarding the project.



Attachment D.pdf



02:52 PM -- Implementation of Colorado Water Plan



Becky Mitchell, Executive Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), introduced herself to the committee and gave a brief background of the Colorado Water Plan (CWP). Ms. Mitchell distributed a copy of chapter 10 of the plan (Attachment E), which consists of the plan's critical action plan and a fact sheet providing an update on the implementation of the plan (Attachment F). Ms. Mitchell discussed the supply and demand gap progress and how the Water Supply Reserve Fund has helped to fund water supply projects. Ms. Mitchell discussed the upcoming Statewide Water Supply Initiative update and how the methodology of that study will change as a result of the CWP. Ms. Mitchell discussed progress made with respect to conservation and land use, mentioning Regulation 84 regarding reclaimed water. She discussed the water plan's progress in agriculture and storage and stated how the new water supply planning and permitting process has improved water resource management in the state. Ms. Mitchell also discussed progress made with regards to watershed health and management and provided an update of the funding for goals and measurable actions in the plan. Ms. Mitchell's presentation can be accessed online at Implementing Colorado's Water Plan story map.



Attachment E.pdf Attachment F.pdf



03:10 PM



John Stulp, Governor's Special Policy Advisor on Water, discussed additional CWP progress. He specifically mentioned the Tap-In program as a way that CWCB is reaching out to water providers and water users to find innovative solutions to water issues. Mr. Stulp responded to questions regarding storage goals found in the water plan. Ms. Mitchell responded to questions from the committee concerning funding for water infrastructure projects in smaller, rural communities. She also further discussed the upcoming SWSI study update and provided a current timeline for the study. Ms. Mitchell responded to questions regarding the overall cost of the water plan implementation and discussed how water providers, water utilities, and others share the cost of implementing the plan. Mr. Stulp discussed recent legislation expanding the ability of the CWCB to address water quality and water treatment, rather than just water supply.



03:28 PM -- Listening Session on Colorado Water Plan and Public Testimony





03:29 PM -- Ken Curtis, Dolores Water Conservancy District, introduced himself to the committee and discussed the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program. He stated that he supports the program and he would like to see the continued funding of the program. Mr. Curtis discussed the impact of the raise in water recreation fees in order to provide funding for the program.



03:35 PM -- Travis Smith and Mike Preston, Forest Health Advisory Council, discussed the council's recommendations for updates to the water plan and distributed a written copy of their statements (Attachment G). Mr. Preston gave a brief background of the Forest Health Advisory Council. Mr. Smith stated that the advisory council is in general agreement that the forest health and watershed health need to be improved and the council endorses the work of the CWCB and the goals found in the water plan. Committee discussion ensued regarding a future meeting where the advisory council could present more detailed recommendations to the committee.



Attachment G.pdf



03:50 PM -- Aaron Citron, The Nature Conservancy, discussed the value of forests and watersheds in the state. He stated that he supports the measurable objectives in the water plan regarding watershed and forest health health. He stated that he would like the state to think about different ways to fund all of these plans. He said that a federal infrastructure bill could provide funding to national forests within the state. He stated that the state should focus on forest health, meeting planning goals, and find new ways for implementation.



03:53 PM -- Alex Funk, National Young Farmer's Coalition, discussed water scarcity and how that affects the agriculture community. He stated that the coalition supports the critical action chapter of the plan, but the coalition believes that there should be more of a focus on climate resiliency as it relates to agriculture and farm practices, such as soil health programs. He discussed a healthy soils program launched in California that provides grants to individual producers for using advanced methods to improve soil health. Mr. Funk also discussed the importance of the increase in resources for smaller farms that are resilient to water supply challenges. Mr. Funk responded to questions from the committee regarding how to engage young farmers in water issues.



04:00 PM -- Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress, introduced himself to the committee and distributed a summary of membership survey results about aspects of the Colorado Water Plan (Attachment H). The survey results show how members of Colorado Water Congress prioritize goals found within water plan. Members believe that including a comprehensive discussion on funding for water storage and other water infrastructure is of the highest priority, followed by identifying specific water projects the state can endorse. Other priorities identified by members include explaining how the state will implement Basin Implementation Plans and specifying how the permitting process will be streamlined. Committee discussion ensued regarding the possibility of using public-private partnerships to pay for water infrastructure projects.



04:18 PM



Senator Sonnenberg announced that people can submit written comments to the committee via email at WaterResources@state.co.us.



04:20 PM



The committee adjourned.