CO SB195

Colorado Water Conservation Board shall conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the growth and identification of phreatophytes along the South Platte River following the September 2013 flood.

Study objectives include evaluating watershed portions affected by the flood to determine relationships between high groundwater and water loss from phreatophytes, and developing cost analysis for removing unwanted phreatophytes.

Board may contract with Colorado State University's Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management Program to conduct and oversee the study, coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and local weed management specialists.

Board shall present a progress report to joint House and Senate agriculture committees during the 2016 legislative session and submit a final report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2016.

Board is authorized to accept and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the study, with $1,000,000 appropriated from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund; the study authorization expires July 1, 2017.