2015 CACD Resolutions
As Presented at the 2015 CACD General Membership Meeting on 11/19/15

CONSENT CALENDAR:
State Technical Committee Meetings
The Colorado Association of Conservation Districts will urge the State Technical Committee meetings be held in rotating locations throughout the state and that local landowners be invited to attend.
 
Submitted By:  Baca County CD
Committee Action:  Approved as Written
Membership Action:  Passed
  
Abandoned Horses
CACD and NACD oppose any Federal or State protection of abandoned horses.  Abandoned horses are under the jurisdiction of each State’s abandoned livestock laws and statutes, and should be handled accordingly.
 
Submitted By:   White River CD
Committee Action:  Approved as Written
Membership Action:  Passed
 
Stream Water Flow 
Any increase in stream flow resulting from the development of impervious surfaces or removal of phreatophytes or an increase in return flows within the basin; ownership of the right to use water should be governed by the “Prior Appropriation System” regardless of hydrographic conditions that existed at the time the water decree was granted.
(Resolution was amended and approved by Water Resources Committee with recommendation to be moved to Soil and Land Use Section (11/17/15)
 
Submitted By:  Prowers CD
Committee Action:  Approved As Written
Membership Action:  Passed

Water Storage Harm  
CACD  supports, in Water Court,  for a new or existing water storage right or a structure holding water up to 72 hours, the burden of proof to show material injury to a vested water right, should be that the junior right does not harm other rights senior to it.
 
Submitted By:  Prowers CD
Committee Action: Approved As Written
Membership Action:  Passed
 
AMENDED:
BOD Unexcused Absences
Amendment to CACD By-Laws under Section VI “Director’s Meetings” Section 1c --
Participation by a Director in CACD monthly Board meetings is imperative for the Director to be fully involved and current with CACD business.
In the event that a CACD Board Director has missed two of three CACD Board face-to-face meetings and/or three of the other nine monthly Board of Directors teleconference calls, within a consecutive twelve month period, constitutes the failure to properly perform the required meeting duties of a CACD Director and will result in dismissal from the CACD Board, unless the following “excused” absences are granted:

• An immediate family emergency;
• A personal health situation of an immediate nature;
• Hospitalization of self or an immediate family member;
• An important local District activity/meeting.

The CACD Board President will, after discussion with the CACD Executive Committee, send a letter to the Director in question, along with his/her Watershed President, stating that due to the Director’s lack of participation in Board meeting duties, the Watershed’s interests and needs, along with the CACD Board’s expectations, are not being fully met and that dismissal is warranted. The Director in question does have the ability to appeal the President’s decision to dismiss, by an appeal through the CACD Executive Committee.

Submitted By:  CACD
Committee Action:  Approved as Amended
Membership Action:  Passed

CACD Membership Dues
Amendment to CACD By-Laws under Section 4 – Membership Dues
The Colorado Association of Conservation District’s annual membership dues shall be a minimum of $1,000 per District, for the 2016 fiscal year.
 
Submitted By:  CACD
Committee Action:  Approved as Amended
Membership Action:  Passed
 
Energy Resources Committee and Policy Section
CACD shall add an Energy Resources section to the policy book and create an Energy Resource Committee.  CACD shall also combine the Small Acreage Committee with the Education and Public Outreach Committee.
 
Submitted By:  Center CD
Committee Action:  Approved as Amended
Membership Action:  Passed
 
CDOT’s Management of Noxious Weeds
CACD strongly urges that all state and federal agencies shall fulfill the noxious weed mandate (C.R.S. 35-5.5-112) with appropriate and adequate management efforts.
 
Submitted By:  Teller/Park CD
Committee Action:  Approved as Amended
Membership Action:  Passed
 
State Management of Wild Horses
CACD and NACD support legislation that amends the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, allowing individual states and tribes the option to take over the management of the wild horse program within their respective jurisdictions.
 
Submitted By:  White River CD
Committee Action:  Approved as Amended
Membership Action:  Passed
  
Prairie Dog Relocation
CACD supports and promotes policy that public notifications, regulations and requirements be met for the relocation of all prairie dogs onto or near agricultural or rural residential land, whether within or from outside of county boundaries.
 
Submitted By:  Deer Trail CD, East Adams CD, West Arapahoe CD
Committee Action:  Approved as Amended
Membership Action:  Passed
 
Promoting Soil Health as a Water Conservation Strategy
CACD will promote on-farm soil health practices to increase soil water holding capacity as a water conservation strategy.
(Resolution was amended and approved by Water Resources Committee with recommendation to be moved to Soil and Land Use Section (11/17/15)
                                                                                   
Submitted By:  Mancos CD
Committee Action:  Approved As Amended
Membership Action:  Passed
 
Emergency Resolutions
All resolutions submitted as “Emergency Resolutions” shall require 2/3 majority of the voting members present, based on an established quorum.
 
Submitted By: District & Association Outlook and Finance Committee
Membership Action:  Passed
   
ON THE TABLE:
Electric Rates for Agricultural Producers
Be it resolved that electrical associations cannot create increased special agricultural electric rates to capture revenue from water conservation practices that consume more electrical power. 
 
Submitted By:  Delta CD
Committee Action:  On the Table
  
DEFEATED:
Amendment to CACD By-Laws, Article I – Name Add “Soil” Back
Submitted By:  Center CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted
Reintroduced in Membership Meeting:  Defeated
 
Transparency Between Partners
 Submitted By: Baca County CD
Committee Action: Defeated as Submitted
 
CACD to Work with the State to Secure Funding to Conservation Districts to Implement the RCPP Program
Submitted By: Shavano CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted        
 
EQIP Funding on Endangered Species Act
Submitted By:  Baca County CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted
 
Mandates for Wildlife Land Use
Submitted By:  Baca County CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted
 
Lesser Prairie Chickens and CRP
Submitted By:  Baca County CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted
 
Renewable Energy Purchase
Submitted By:  San Juan CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted
 
Cost Share of Conservation Tillage Implements
Submitted By:  Center CD
Committee Action:  Defeated as Submitted
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