CO SB253

Appropriates $330,000 for satellite monitoring system maintenance including renovation of gauging stations, replacement of collection platforms, and stream gauge flood hardening projects for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Appropriates $500,000 for Colorado floodplain map modernization program to assist communities with revised floodplain studies and maps and participate in federally sponsored activities.

Appropriates $1,500,000 for watershed restoration program to provide planning and engineering studies for flood mitigation, aquatic habitat protection, and environmental flow needs, with funds available until June 30, 2019.

Appropriates $1,000,000 for Arkansas River Decision Support System (ArkDSS) implementation and $1,200,000 for development of modern methods to determine probable maximum precipitation for dam spillway design.

Allocates additional funds for weather modification programs ($175,000), water conservation planning tools ($100,000), Colorado Mesonet project ($150,000), USDA conservation partnership technical assistance ($500,000), and South Platte River basin groundwater remediation ($125,000), all from the Colorado water conservation board construction fund.