Joint Committee Committee on Joint Agriculture and Natural Resources (03/25/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:	03/25/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	07:36 AM to 08:49 AM	Brophy
		Fischer
Place:	HCR 0107	Gardner C.
		Gibbs
This Meeting was called to order by		Harvey
	Senator Isgar	Hodge
		Hullinghorst
This Report was prepared by		Kester
	David Beaujon	Labuda
		Looper
		McKinley
		McNulty
		Pace
		Schwartz
		Solano
		Sonnenberg
		Tipton
		Vigil
		Curry
		Isgar
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
CWCB Climate Change Study CSU Veterinarian Lab Rocky Mt. Regional Animal Health Lab		Briefing only Briefing only Briefing only

07:36 AM -- CWCB Climate Change Study

Veva Dehaza, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), explained that the CWCB commissioned a study of climate change that synthesizes data from other climate change studies. The report, “Colorado Climate Change: A Synthesis to Support Water Resource Management and Adaptation” focuses on observed trends and projections of temperature, precipitation, snow and runoff. The report gives water resource managers a synthesis of information about what is expected for Colorado’s climate over the next few decades to help them plan now for drought and adaptation to climate change. This report is available at www.cwcb.state.co.us/Home/ClimateChange/ClimateChangeInColoradoReport/

07:38 AM

Brad Udall, University of Colorado, explained that the climate change report was prepared by the Western Water Assessment, a University of Colorado-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partnership, and included scientists from the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, the CU Cooperative Institute for Research into Environmental Sciences, and Colorado State University Colorado Climate Center. He explained that in Colorado, temperatures have increased by approximately 2慚 between 1977 and 2006. He also explained how increasing temperatures are affecting the state’s water resources. Between 1978 and 2004, the spring pulse in Colorado has shifted earlier by two weeks. Several studies suggest that shifts in timing and intensity of stream flows are related to warming spring temperatures. The timing of runoff is projected to shift earlier in the spring, and late-summer flows may be reduced. He explained that climate models project Colorado will warm by 2.5慚 by 2025 and 4慚 by 2050, relative to the 1950–99 baseline. Mr. Udall responded to questions from the committee about projected temperature changes and when they will occur throughout the year.

07:49 AM

Mr. Udall explained that for the Upper Colorado River Basin, multi-model average projections suggest decreases in runoff ranging from 6 percent to 20 percent by 2050 compared to the 20th century average. He also responded to questions from the committee about observed temperature changes in Colorado including the decline in the average temperature recorded in Lamar. He explained that cleaner air may contribute to higher temperature readings at some locations because pollution reflects light that helps to lower temperature. He also described how stream flows in the Colorado River Basin may be affected by climate change and how this will impact the ability of the Colorado River to satisfy water demands in Colorado and from lower basin states. Mr. Udall also described dust on snow and how it affects the timing and amount of runoff.

08:01 AM

Ms. Dehaza explained that the Colorado Water Conservation Board received authorization from the Colorado General Assembly to use money from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund to pay for Phase II of the Climate Change Report. This study will address data shortfalls identified in the Phase I of study. She also described a public education program that is being developed with Mr. Udall and the Western Water Assessment.

08:04 AM -- Colorado State University Veterinarian Lab

Tony Frank, Interim President of Colorado State University (CSU) explained how the agriculture and livestock programs at CSU benefit Colorado's Economy.

08:06 AM

Lance Perryman, Dean of the College of Veterinarian Medicine and BioMedical Sciences, introduced Dr. Barbara Powers and thanked the committee for the opportunity to make the following presentation.

08:06 AM

Dr. Barbara Powers described the CSU Diagnostic Medicine Center that is scheduled for completion in December of 2009 (Attachment B). This three story, 90,000 square foot building will house the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Clinical Pathology, CSU Extension Veterinarian and APHI Laboratory. It will cost $45 million to build. She explained how the lab will serve three primary missions of service, teaching, and research. The facility will conduct over 500,000 tests each year. The laboratory is a core member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network; a state and federal partnership with United States Department of Agriculture. It is also a member of the Laboratory Response Network; a partnership with the public health and Centers for Disease Control.

08:20 AM

Dr. Powers identified animal disease testing programs that are conducted for the agricultural industry and owners of companion animals including testing for livestock diseases. It will also test for transmissible diseases in wildlife, including chronic wasting disease (Attachment C). She also described the design of the Diagnostic Medicine Center and responded to questions from the committee.

08:32 AM -- Rocky Mountain Regional Animal Health Laboratory

John Stulp, Commissioner of Agriculture, introduced Dr. Keith Roehr, State Veterinarian.

08:34 AM

Dr. Roehr explained that the Division of Animal Industry, in the Department of Agriculture, is responsible for animal health and livestock disease control activities in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Regional Animal Health Laboratory is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory that provides testing services for 16 different diseases including Brucellosis, Johne's, Trichomoniasis, Equine Infectious Anemia, and Scrapie Genetic Susceptibility. ISO 17025 is an accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation that is an internationally recognized standard for testing laboratories. He explained that state law requires that an inspection by a veterinarian occur prior to sale of livestock. The veterinarian must determine whether any of the animals presented to the public livestock market for sale possess any of the diseases or injuries specified in state regulation. Dr. Roehr answered questions from the committee and described how Department of Agriculture staff work with staff from Colorado State University Diagnostic Medicine Center to address animal disease control issues. He also described animal disease testing methods.

08:48 AM

The meeting adjourned.