CO HB1249

Restructures water pollution control permit fees into five sectors: animal agriculture, commerce and industry, construction, pesticides, and public/private utilities, with detailed annual fee schedules for each category.

Creates the Water Quality Control Fund and Animal Feeding Operations Fund to collect and hold permit fees, with General Assembly appropriating funds annually for the discharge permit system expenses.

Implements an alternative compliance assurance model for construction storm water permits effective July 1, 2016, shifting from penalty-based enforcement to increased inspection frequency, compliance assistance, and targeted enforcement toward chronic violators.

Establishes a tiered fee system for water quality certification (401 Certificate) reviews ranging from $1,100 for minimal-impact projects to hourly rates for complex projects involving multiple watersheds or high water quality impacts.

Takes effect July 1, 2015, with appropriations of $17,600 to the pesticides sector and $1,868 to the commerce and industry sector from the Water Quality Control Fund for the 2015-16 fiscal year.