Group Memory
March 6, 2000



Agenda

1:00 Introductions and Agenda Review

1:15 State/Federal Legislation Update (All)
       WQCC Update (Paul Frohardt)

1:45 Non-point Source Management Program (Laurie Fisher)

2:30 Break

2:45 MBTE update (Dave Holm).

3:30 Source Water Assessment Program (Carl Norbeck, Gary Karst)

4:00 Basic Standards (Sarah Johnson)

4:30 Web site update (Jeanne Work, Matt Cook)

4:45 Next Steps and April Agenda Items

5:00 Adjourn

Federal Legislative Updates

• Allard will introduce long-term bill on Recovery Program later this week
• Senator Wyden (Oregon) and Senator Crapo (Idaho) are jointly sponsoring a "one-stop shopping" bill for TMDLS, habitat plans for endangered species, etc. …soon to be introduced...
• Wyden and Burns (Montana) are cosponsoring a bill that would designate Clean Water Act funds for construction of water conservation and quality improvements for states that designate instream flows. Right now, funds would not be available in Colorado because of our water court system. [See the attached copy of the bill]

State Legislation Updates

• SB190—MTBE bill to preclude its use is moving forward
• SB33—Exempts nonpotable water providers from reporting under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• SB184- Addresses damages to underground water facilities
• SB201—recently introduced, it ensures that municipalities are offered riders for water damage insurance by their insurance companies.
• HB 1314—A response to last year's "mother may I" bill—to reintroduce the blackfooted ferret and the Bonytailed chub. Governor my veto the bill because of the number of amendments attached to it.
• HB 1315—Allows the WQCC to issue regulations regarding reclaimed domestic waste water; this is moving forward.
• HB 1365—Transfers ownership of Monument Lake Dam to Monument..
• HB 1429—Grants $ for the Endangered Species Fund
• Legislation regarding Operator Certification has yet to move forward or be introduced.
• SJR6—Would provide long-term federal funding for endangered species.
• HB 1290—Addresses permit fees; this bill is moving forward.
• There has been some movement regarding the use of The Water and Power Authority to assist in developing educational funding. WQCC Update (Paul Frohardt)
• No new appointments have been made to the Commission but there should be an announcement soon..[Update: Robert Sakota has been reappointed; Chris Kraft and Tai-Dan Hsu have been appointed.].
• May 9th, 2000—There will be a joint meeting of the Colorado Board of Health and the WQCC. The primary purpose of this meeting will be to discuss and receive public input regarding the potential impacts of ISDS. [Handout available upon request]
• WQCC is submitting comments on EPA's draft Bacteriological Criteria Guidance. The WQCC has concerns that the quick turnaround time is not adequate to address complex issues [Handout available upon request]
• EPA is mandated to act on backlog of pending state standards. Ambient state standards are being questioned by EPA regarding the adequacy of documentation. [Handout available upon request]

Nonpoint Source Management Program (Greg Parsons—Handout available upon request)

MTBE Update (Dave Holm—Handout available upon request)

Source Water Assessment Program (Carl Norbeck and Gary Karst)

Handouts available upon request

• Concern expressed by some participants: the original plan called for communities and public to drive the assessments—this seems to have shifted to the State to drive the process. Is this where SWAP should really be headed?
• Concern: the 20% match required on the RFPs may not be realistic and you may get what you pay for.

Basic Standards Update (Sarah Johnson)

The most recent update is available on the WQCC web site: www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/wqcc/wqcchom.asp under "Special Topics"

• Next Basic Standards Working Group meeting is on April 10th at 9 a.m. in the Sabin Room at CDPHE

303(d) List TMDL Update (Sarah Johnson)

Please see the TMDL web page at www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/wqhom.asp