Date: 02/01/2006
Final
Department of Natural Resources
COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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10:45 AM -- Briefing on the Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Russell George, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, identified the divisions in the department and provided and overview of its budget. He explained that 12 percent of the department's budget comes from the State General Fund - using approximately 0.4 percent of the total state General Fund moneys. Most of the budget is paid for with fee revenue, such as hunting and fishing license fees.
10:51 AM
Mr. George provided an update on the Interbasin Compact Process that was created in HB 05-1177; including its participants, meetings, and support from Colorado State University and other public entities (Attachment C). He explained the members of the Interbasin Compact Committee have been appointed and will begin writing the charter to guide interbasin compact negotiations. Mr. George also explained that the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) determined that the demand for Colorado's water will grow significantly in the next 25 years. The Interbasin Compact Process will assist with identifying cooperative water supply solutions. Mr. George also described a legislative proposal to allocate additional state Severance Tax moneys to help pay for water supply projects.
11:05 AM
Committee discussion followed about the demand for the Severance Tax revenue that increased due to substantial increases in oil and gas production.
11:11 AM
Mr. George summarized the budget priorities for the Division of Water Resources to hire 11.5 full time employees for ground water administration and to restore General Fund support for ground water management. He also described funding proposals in the Colorado Water Conservation Board's Construction Fund request including moneys for instream flow protection, weather modification, watershed protection, and interbasin compact litigation.
11:21 AM
Mr. George described the department's budget priority to obtain additional funding for staff in the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission that regulates oil and gas development in Colorado. He also explained that the department is preparing a request to obtain additional Severance Tax revenue and General Fund moneys for species conservation. Mr. George provided an update on the Roadless Review Process that was created in SB 05-243. The Road Review Task Force is developing recommendations to the Governor concerning management of these lands.
11:37 AM
Mr. George responded to questions from the committee regarding the impact of the change in the nonresident allocation for big game licenses on the Division of Wildlife's budget. In response to a question from the committee, he also described a funding priority to pay for interstate compact litigation.
11:43 AM
The meeting was adjourned.