Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:04/12/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:07:40 AM to 08:50 AM
Brophy
Entz
X
Place:HCR 0112
Gallegos
X
Gardner
This Meeting was called to order by
Groff
Senator Isgar
Grossman
Harvey
This Report was prepared by
Hodge
X
Geoff Johnson
Hoppe
McFadyen
McKinley
Rose
Solano
Taylor
X
Tochtrop
White
X
Curry
X
Isgar
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Update on Natural Areas Program
Water Quality Regulation		-
-

07:41 AM

Lyle Laverty, Director, Colorado State Parks, commented on the reduction of fuel loading in the state's parks.

07:42 AM -- Rob Billerbeck, Colorado State Parks, said that he manages the Colorado Natural Areas Program and that the program protects the most beautiful areas in the state. He said that State Parks has many volunteers who work with this program. He offered to give the Joint Committee a slide show next year on the program, or host visits to the natural areas. He commented on the Division's "Resource Stewardship Section" and the fuel mitigation program which is largely funded by GOCO and federal monies. He said that State Parks tries to protect key habitat areas in the state and conducts some controlled burns. He distributed handouts describing the Colorado Natural Areas Program, the State Parks Fuel Mitigation Program, a tour of the fuel mitigation project to be held at Golden Gate State Park and Staunton Park in June, and the State Parks Resource Stewardship Section (Attachment a through D).



07:54 AM

Steve Gunderson, Director, Water Quality Control Division, commented on the role of the Division, and of the Board of Health in protecting water resources. He commented on the Safe Drinking Water Act. He said that there are 2,000 water treatment systems in the state. He commented on new federal requirements for water quality and the challenges facing the state in implementing these requirements. He commented on new ammonia standards that are being issued. He provided large maps which identify the location of cold water streams in the state, and streams that would be exempted from ammonia standards. He noted that, in some cases, the standards will be a challenge for small communities in the state. He said that a rule-making hearing will be held this June in Cortez regarding the ammonia standards, and early next year for the rest of the state. Mr. Gunderson commented on means by which the state can address the costs of compliance with the regulations. He noted that the Division provides compliance assistance services for communities, that loans are available through the Colorado Water and Power Development Authority, and that there is some flexibility in implementation of the rules. The Capital Development Committee is also considering grants to small communities for compliance. He said that source water protection is also important in keeping treatment costs down. This can mean minimizing development or having well-planned development.

Mr. Gunderson commented on arsenic standards, and affordable small system compliance technologies that are under consideration at the federal level. He said that the Alamosa water system is affected by arsenic contamination. He noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers the financial capacity of small communities to comply with water standards. Senator Entz said that Alamosa cannot afford these new standards. Alamosa has authorized a bond issue to bring their water system into compliance.

08:19 AM

Barbara Kirkmeyer, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, commented on water and wastewater treatment assistance available from the Department. She distributed three handouts to the joint committee, "Available Financial Assistance", "Water and Sewer Projects Funded by DOLA", and Colorado Water and Sewer Financing Needs," (Attachments E through G.) She said that the Department has a funding coordination committee that considers where the greatest needs are in the state.


08:24 AM

Dan Law, Executive Director, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Committee, distributed a handout to the committee, "Water Infrastructure Funding Programs," (Attachment F.) He commented on federal contributions to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and on the Disadvantaged Community Loan Program.

Mr. Law described the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and federal appropriations for this purpose. He noted that the state receives about $14.5 million for this purpose from the federal government. He commented on the Water Revenue Bond and Small Water Resources Program. He noted that federal funds are often blended with low-interest loans for funding projects. He discussed the Section 595 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorization and appropriation. He said that not all projects will come forward at once and that the projects are prioritized as to need over time. He noted that, at some point, the Division's loan capacity will be exceeded at which time projects will prioritized based on the severity of the need.

08:35 AM -- Steve Gunderson commented on compliance of small communities with federal water quality regulations. He noted that, in some cases, small communities are given a relaxed compliance schedule. However, he added that it occasionally happens that there is negligence on the part of small communities. Dan Law said that he is not certain what the solution should be for compliance with federal regulations, but said that in some cases the communities must use their bonding authority. Mr. Gunderson said that the imposition of fines falls within the enforcement discretion of the Division and that fines are considered on a case-by-case basis. He said that the problem is not unique to Colorado.

08:40 AM

Barbara Kirkmeyer commented on potential funding sources for projects in the state.


08:43 AM

Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, said that the new federal requirements affect municipalities and special districts. He said that it is clear that the need for project funding outweighs the available funding, and that these requirements are unfunded federal mandates. He noted the reductions in available federal funding for the projects, and said that the state is the only source of funding left for the communities. He said that he appreciates grants authorized by the Capital Development Committee, but that these grants will fall far short of needs. He said that there is an absolute necessity for a comprehensive approach to the problem, and that the state must commit to long-term grant assistance for communities. Representative Curry said that perhaps members of the joint committee could pursue this topic further this summer at the Water Resources Review Committee.