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One important point that Mr. Larsen stressed was that the present Administration feels strongly that the states should have primary responsibility for water resources management. The Administration is trying to remove impediments that hinder the states in fulfilling this role. He said that the Administration does not favor reactivation of the Water Resources Councilor creation of a similar organization, but would prefer to coordinate through the Cabinet Council on Natural Resources and Environment (Secretary Watt chairs the Working Group on Water). Colorado River Flooding: A detailed audio-visual presentation on the 1983 Colorado River flooding was given by representatives of the National Weather Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Corps of Engineers. Dr. Gerald Williams, I1Ydrologist-in-Charge, River Forecast Center, NWS, discussed the precipitation and other climatological factors which led to the extreme runoff event (the highest April-July runoff on record). Wayne Cook and Larry Dozier, USBR Supervisors of Land and Water in the Upper and Lower Colorado Regions, respectively, discussed the actual reservoir operations on the mainstem and major tributaries. Joe Evelyn, for the Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, reported on the general flood control criteria for operation of the mainstem reservoirs on the Lower Colorado River. Critical points emphasized were: (1) The runoff level was without precedent, and more accurate forecasts could not have resulted in a lower maximum release level. (2) The reservoirs were operated according to a pre-determined plan. (3) Nearly all the damage occurred to property within the designated floodway. (The presentation made at this meeting was extracted from that made at the Congressional Hearings September 7-8 at Yuma, Arizona, and Needles, California. Copies of the USBR testimony can be obtained by contacting Kathy Loveless, Public Affairs Officer, Upper Colorado Regional Office, Salt Lake City, Utah.>. , B-2