News - Local
$900k available to protect water in fire zones
Posted: Sep 16, 2010 2:53 PM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Sep 16, 2010 4:09 PM
The state will provide up to $900,000 to help protect water supplies because of damage from two major wildfires.
Gov. Bill Ritter issued an executive order Thursday making the money available through grants to Larimer and Boulder counties and non-profits working with them. The fires destroyed nearly 170 homes and burned vegetation that prevents erosion from taking place.
Runoff in burned areas could find its way into water supplies and make it harder to treat the water. The money is coming from fines paid by violators of the water quality act. Ritter previously provided $8 million to cover firefighter costs at the two fires.
The state is eligible to get 75 percent of that reimbursed by the federal government.
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