(1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that current federal programs exist in which Colorado landowners, in exchange for monetary compensation or other financial assistance, abide by various practices related to conservation for lands enrolled in the programs.
The general assembly further declares that lands, waters, and wildlife in Colorado have derived enormous benefits as a result of such programs. However, such federal programs may be reduced or eliminated, and similar federal or state programs may exist or be created, in the near future. Therefore, the general assembly declares that a study conducted by the department of natural resources concerning such programs, including the types of lands desirable for the programs, the cost to administer the programs, and the value of the programs to public and private interests, would assist the general assembly in assessing whether and how the implementation of such programs in Colorado can be improved and, where possible, supplemented through new federal or state programs.
(2) (a) The department shall compile information regarding participation by Colorado landowners in landowner incentive conservation programs. As used in this section, "landowner incentive conservation program", also referred to in this section as a "program", means any federal or state program that provides monetary compensation to landowners who agree to set aside lands or apply land management strategies or conservation practices to lands enrolled in the program. A program may also directly or incidentally protect, enhance, or otherwise provide benefits to the environment, wildlife, or wildlife habitat. In gathering information pursuant to this paragraph (a), the department shall review any federal or state programs that currently exist or are created prior to February 1, 2010. The information gathered by the department shall include data regarding the amount and types of Colorado lands enrolled in a program, methods and costs to administer the programs, and the benefits to lands, the environment, or wildlife realized through the programs.
(b) The department shall study the information obtained pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) in order to assess the feasibility of administering such a program in Colorado if the federal programs are eliminated or reduced. In assembling this information, the department shall consult with any potentially affected groups or entities, including:
Federal agencies that administer programs;
Any potentially affected state agencies;
Landowners or entities representing landowner interests;
Groups organized for the purpose of wildlife conservation; and
The agriculture industry task force created pursuant to section 35-1-107 (8), C.R.S.
(c) The data compilation and study efforts required by this subsection (2) shall be funded with moneys appropriated to the department from the operation and maintenance account of the species conservation trust fund created in section 24-33-111 (2) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.
On or before February 1, 2010, the department shall report to the house of representatives committee on agriculture, livestock, and natural resources and the senate committee on agriculture and natural resources, or their successor committees, regarding the feasibility of administering a landowner incentive conservation program in Colorado. If possible, such report shall be made at the same time as the report described in section 24-33-111 (3)(a).
Information gathered by the department pursuant to this section that allows any Colorado landowner or land to be specifically identified shall be exempt from inspection pursuant to section 24-72-204 (3)(a)(XXI), provided, however, that summary or aggregate data that does not specifically identify individual landowners or specific parcels of land shall not be subject to such exemption.
Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (SB 09-158), ch. 387, p. 2092, § 1, effective August 5.