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4BDAA64B7BFF262087258A14007B04AB Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For FRESHWATER CARBON MECHANISMS

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date Aug 23, 2023      
Location Off-site



Freshwater Carbon Mechanisms - Committee Discussion Only
04:23:50 PM  
Dr. Evan Thomas,
Professor, University of Colorado Boulder, introduced his presentation
and referred committee members to handouts provided (Attachments D-F),
including the report that can be found here: https://www.colorado.edu/center/mortenson/sites/default/files/attached-files/etiwrmc_final_web.pdf#:~:text=These%20technologies%20can%20aid%20in,high%2Daltitude%20balloons%20and%20drones.

He discussed the
potential for carbon credits to help pay for watershed restoration and
the market that currently exists for carbon credits.  He told the
committee about legislation that his team is promoting, which includes
identifying pilot projects focused on dischargers that are looking for
opportunities to fund improvements.
04:31:29 PM  

Alex Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer, Virridy, told the committee about his background and discussed the potential to monitor and demonstrate the benefits of watershed restoration. He spoke about the importance of water quality and nationwide investment in water quality control. He told the committee about potential benefits of a water quality trading program.
04:38:43 PM  
Dr. Thomas answered
questions about sensors that measure water quality in the Yampa River Basin
and how the program could pay individuals to conserve water and maintain
water quality.

Mr. Johnson spoke
about how system upgrade costs can be covered through credits in a kind
of trading program and how to manage changes in point sources of pollution.