H_AGR_2016A 05/02/2016 01:30:00 PM Committee Summary

01:30 PM -- HB 16-1458



Representative Vigil and Representative Coram, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1458, concerning measures to effectuate the conservation of native species in Colorado. The bill appropriates $3 million from the Species Conservation Trust Fund for programs submitted by the director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that are designated to conserver native species that have been listed as threatened or endangered under state or federal law, or are likely to become candidate species as determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Committee discussion ensued regarding the bill.



The following persons testified on the bill:



01:35 PM -- Bill Levine, Budget Director, DNR, spoke in support of the bill and explained how the projects will be funded. Mr. Levine also discussed Senate Bill 16-167, which lowers the reserve requirement in the Severance Tax Operational Fund.



01:39 PM -- Jeff Versteeg, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, spoke in support of the bill and described some of the projects in the bill.



01:43 PM



Mr. Levine and Mr. Versteeg responded to questions from the committee.



01:46 PM -- Bruce Whitehead, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the bill.









01:48 PM



Representative Vigil and Representative Coram made concluding comments on the bill.

01:49 PM -- SB 16-174



Representative Vigil and Representative Coram, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 16-174, concerning the funding of Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) projects. The bill appropriates funds from the CWCB Construction Fund for specific water-related projects in FY 2016-17. The bill also authorizes seven cash fund transfers; extends the Windy Gap Reservoir bypass channel project until July 1, 202; and allows the CWCB to participate in water distribution system projects. Additionally, as a part of the Animas-La Plata project, the bill provides the CWCB authority to contract with and allocate Animas-La Plata project water to local entities and water providers; undertake Animas-La Plata project operations, maintenance, and replacement costs; pay Animas-La Plata project storage or other necessary costs; undertake actions to sell, lease, sublease, exchange, and assign the project water acquired; and receive and expend proceeds from the sale or lease of Animas-La Plata water and land. Representative Brown distributed Amendment L.005 (Attachment A). Committee discussion ensued.



160502 AttachA.pdf





The following persons testified on the bill:



01:54 PM -- James Eklund, Director, CWCB, spoke in support of the bill and discussed some of the projects listed in the bill, including the Animas-La Plata project. Mr. Eklund discussed Amendment L.005 and the Bear Creek Reservoir study and responded to other questions from the committee.



02:10 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the bill.



02:11 PM -- Bruce Whitehead, Executive Director, Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, discussed the potential recreational use of Lake Nighthorse.

02:28 PM



The committee adjourned.