(1) There is hereby created as an office under the Colorado water conservation board the office of water conservation and drought planning. The office shall have such staff as are necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties established for the office.
(2) The office of water conservation and drought planning shall promote water conservation and drought mitigation planning by performing, to the degree feasible, duties including, but not limited to, the following:
Participating as a member or chairperson of any state water availability task forcesestablished to monitor, forecast, mitigate, or prepare for drought;
Acting as a repository for water conservation and drought mitigation planning information;
Disseminating water conservation, drought mitigation planning, and related information to water providers and the general public;
Providing technical assistance to and working with municipal, industrial, agricultural, and other water providers and state agencies as they plan for, evaluate, and implement water conservation plans and programs, drought mitigation plans, or both;
Coordination of the planning for and assistance in the implementation of water conservation plans by state agencies pursuant to section 37-96-103 (4);
Administration of financial assistance for water conservation and drought mitigationplanning and implementation measures and programs; and
Evaluating water conservation and drought mitigation plans related to the use of suchplans by water providers to address water needs and to prepare for water-related emergencies based upon policies and guidelines adopted by the board pursuant to section 37-60-126.
The personal services, operating, travel and subsistence, capital, and legal servicesexpenses of administering the office of water conservation and drought planning and the programs and activities authorized by subsection (2) of this section may be paid from such moneys as are appropriated, allocated, or otherwise credited to the Colorado water conservation board construction fund.
Repealed.
Source: L. 91: Entire section added, p. 2023, § 4, effective June 4. L. 99: (4) repealed, p. 25, § 1, effective March 5. L. 2004: Entire section amended, p. 1778, § 2, effective August 4.
Cross references: (1) In 1991, this entire section was added by the "Water Conservation Act of 1991". For the short title and the legislative declaration, see sections 1 and 2 of chapter 328, Session Laws of Colorado 1991.
(2) For the legislative declaration contained in the 2004 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 373, Session Laws of Colorado 2004.