HJR16-1023 Summary

• Encourages stakeholders including the Water Quality Control Division, regulated facilities, agricultural and conservation communities to participate in a Water Quality Forum workgroup process beginning in 2016 to evaluate holistic nutrient reduction strategies prior to the Commission's October 2017 triennial review of Regulation #85.

• Requires nutrient reduction approaches to focus spending for maximum environmental benefit, consider technical and economic feasibility, be environmentally sustainable, avoid burdening small rural or disadvantaged communities, align with Colorado's Water Plan, include measurement strategies, and reflect stakeholder input.

• Directs the Division and participating stakeholders to present strategies identified through the Water Quality Forum workgroup process to a joint meeting of the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee and the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee no later than February 28, 2017.

• Provides background that the Water Quality Control Commission adopted a two-pronged approach in 2012 with Regulation #85 (technology-based treatment requirements for major dischargers) and Regulation #31 (interim numeric values for nutrients), with implementation costs significantly higher than estimated benefits.