Group Memory
September 26, 2005
4500 Cherry Creek Drive South

Agenda

12:30 p.m. Agenda Review, Introductions
12:35 p.m. Legislative Update (Sara Duncan)
12:45 p.m. WQCC Update (Paul Frohardt)
1:00 p.m. Division Update (Steve Gunderson)
1:20 p.m. Future Water Quality Program Funding (Steve Gunderson)
1:40 p.m. Review of Draft Work Group Guidelines (Robert Sakata)
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. Implementation of New Ammonia Criteria into ?Individual Basin Standards (Pat Nelson)
2:45 p.m. Emerging Contaminant (Amy Woodis, Metro Wastewater)
3:15 p.m. Anti-degradation Guidance and Implementation (Pat Nelson)
3:45 p.m. Section 303(d)/TMDL (Phil Hegeman)
4:10 p.m. Bio Solids Work Group Update (Wesley Carr)
4:25 p.m. Develop and Agree on Next Steps
4:30 p.m. Adjourn

Legislative Update (Sara Duncan)

Water bills and water-related state legislation possible in 2006 include:
• Water Quality Fee increases is likely to be considered in this session.
• Recreational In-channel Diversion- the Interim Water Committee is considering amendments to the RICD statute
• Colorado Water and Power Development Authority – the Interim Committee is considering an amendment to the Authority’s statute adding agricultural representation to the Board.
• HB 05-1177 Charter – A draft charter is required to come before the legislature for approval. The charter is intended to govern and guide negotiations between basin roundtables. Russell George intends to submit a draft charter for legislature consideration by March 1, 2006.
• A Fallowing bill may be introduced to follow up on last year’s bill to clarify existing statutes to ensure and encourage fallowing and related leasing similar to that occurring in the Imperial Irrigation District, CA.
• A federal “good Samaritan” bill has be introduced this year by Mark Udall. An additional bill is being introduced by Sen. Allard and Salazar.

WQCC Update (Paul Frohardt)

Please see the WQCC website for the most recent information:
www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/wqcc/wqcchom.asp

Division Update (Steve Gunderson)

• Steve Gunderson is the new director of the Water Quality Control Division
• The Division’s internal focus continues to be how to make the Division work better by:

• Developing strategies to give the Drinking Water program a higher profile
• The Permits, Compliance and Data Management units will be made into sections
• Possible structural changes to the Watershed units
• Overall improvements to the administrative functions/efficiencies including fiscal management

• Externally, the Divisions focus includes:

• Colorado Springs Utilities/Fountain Creek
• Oil & Gas permitting issues
• 303(d) upcoming list
• Hurricane Katrina –our knowledge/resources may be called upon

Future Water Quality Program Funding (Steve Gunderson)

• Stakeholders meetings have been taking place
• The November election with referendums C & D will impact funding bill brought forth
• We will lay out two options and two “sub-options” ranging from general fund to fee for services. These options will be more clearly laid out in October 18th meeting.
• The Division will be able to give a more detailed update in the November WQF meeting

Review of Draft Work Group Guidelines (Robert Sakata)

[A handout is available upon request]
Suggested changes to the draft include:
• Each work group should have a clear product and a timeline indicated
• Each update should have items agreed upon and a list of the “outstanding issues”
• Each work group should have a list on “issues requiring expert testimony”
• In ground rules, add “participants come prepared”
• Have education overview up front when forming a new work group

Paul Frohardt will redraft the guidelines and present them back at the next WQF meeting.

Implementation of New Ammonia Criteria into Individual Basin Standards (Amy Woodis, for Pat Nelson)
[A power point presentation is available upon request]

Emerging Contaminant (Amy Woodis, Metro Wastewater)
[A power point presentation is available upon request]

Anti-degradation Guidance and Implementation (Pat Nelson)
Question: Does the policy need to change given the changes? Need clarification from the Division

Section 303(d)/TMDL (Phil Hegeman)
The list will be posted on October 3, 2005 on the Division’s website:
www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/wqhom.asp

Biosolids Work Group Update (Wesley Carr)
[A power point presentation is available upon request]

Develop and Agree on Next Steps

Future agenda items should include:
DOW data requests (Nicole – January 2006)
Western States Water Council re: Effluent Dependent Waters (Paul)
Arid West Research Project (Richard Meyerhoff)
Funding Issue
Working Group Guidelines