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J_WRARC_2024A 07/11/2024 09:16:12 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Date 07/11/2024
Attendance
Bridges X
Catlin X
Lynch X
Marchman *
Martinez X
McLachlan X
Pelton B. X
Simpson X
Roberts X
McCormick X
Time 09:16:12 AM to 02:25:02 PM
Place Off-site
This Meeting was called to order by McCormick
This Report was prepared by Alexa Kelly
Hearing Items Action Taken
Meeting will be held at CSU Spur Campus, Denver - Hydro Buildling - Willow Creek Classroom Committee Discussion Only
Presentation on Orphaned Mines and Acid Mine Drainage Committee Discussion Only
Presentation on the CSU Spur Ag Innovation Center Committee Discussion Only
Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Colorado Committee Discussion Only
Discussion on Raw Milk Regulation Committee Discussion Only
Committee Tour of CSU Spur Campus Committee Discussion Only
Presentation on Regenerative Agriculture Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Committee Discussion Only
Overview of Committee Procedures from Office of Legislative Legal Services Committee Discussion Only

Meeting will be held at CSU Spur Campus, Denver - Hydro Buildling - Willow Creek Classroom - Committee Discussion Only


09:16:35 AM  
Chair McCormick called
the committee to order. All meeting materials can be found here:
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/jwrarc2024ascheduleandmeetingmaterials.



Presentation on Orphaned Mines and Acid Mine Drainage - Committee Discussion Only


09:17:25 AM  
Michael Cunningham
and Russ Means, representing the Department of Natural Resources, came
to the table to discuss acid mine drainage and orphaned mines.
09:20:54 AM  
Mr. Cunninghman continued by discussing 145 abandoned mines that discharge water and water quality.
09:23:24 AM  
Mr. Means continued by discussing a legacy issue related to the Schwartzwalder Mine. The underground uranium mine ceased in 2000 and its proximity to the Ralston Reservoir.
09:27:54 AM  
Mr. Means continued by discussing the water treatment by reverse osmosis and ion-exchange systems and the current status of water quality.
09:32:54 AM  
Mr. Cunningham continued by discussing the London Mine and the drainage water quality work.
09:42:03 AM  
Mr. Cunningham wrapped up his presentation by discussing opportunity for further projects.
09:50:33 AM  
Mr. Cunningham answered several committee questions related to the historic nature of mines, the future of mining in Colorado, and the designation of superfund sites, among other issues.
09:52:35 AM  
Mr. Means answered questions related to the financial bonds and mining operations.



Presentation on the CSU Spur Ag Innovation Center - Committee Discussion Only


10:01:33 AM  
Jordan Lambert, representing
the Colorado State University Spur Ag Innovation Center, presented to the
committee on the work of the center.
10:03:22 AM  
She continued discussing
Ag tech, the opportunities, and challenges presented. She noted that the
purpose of the Ag Innovation Center and provided some examples of business
model innovation.
10:16:37 AM  
Ms. Lambert continued by discussing several projects, such as offal meat and manure innovation.
10:23:14 AM  
The discussion continued by highlighting the center's incubation and accelerate to aid Agtech startups that solve Colorado producer problems.
10:29:11 AM  
She continued by highlighting several companies with connections to the center.



Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Colorado - Committee Discussion Only


10:42:56 AM  
Dr. Maggie Baldwin,
representing the Colorado Department of Agriculture, presented an update
to the committee on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Colorado.
 
10:44:50 AM  
She discussed HPAI in wild birds and mammals, the national situation related to HPAI, and poultry and wild outbreak overview in Colorado.
10:52:35 AM  
She continued by discussing the current HPAI in dairy cattle nationally and in Colorado.
10:57:44 AM  
Dr. Baldwin continued by discussing the federal and state response, federal and state emergency rules, and federal and state case information.
11:12:56 AM  
The presentation continued by a discussion of available support for producers and the current show/fair guidance.
11:15:14 AM  
Dr. Baldwin wrapped up by discussing the Colorado response to HPAI and further resources.
11:19:19 AM  
Dr. Baldwin answered several committee questions related to vaccines, trade restrictions, and other issues.



Discussion on Raw Milk Regulation - Committee Discussion Only


11:22:57 AM  
Mr. Brock Herzberg,
representing the Colorado Dairy Association, began by discussing HPAI in
dairy cattle and the cooperation between the state and producers.
11:36:35 AM  
Mr. Herzberg continued
by discussing raw milk and some potential concerns.
11:45:42 AM  

Jason Vahling and Kimberly Baker, representing the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, presented to the committee on their concerns related to raw milk legislation. Their presentation may be found in Attachment D.

11:48:35 AM  
They continued by discussing next steps and continued engagement from local health officials.
12:03:02 PM  
The committee took a recess to tour the CSU campus and have lunch.


02:25:02 PM   The committee adjourned.






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