WSP12185

• File Number: 8067
• Description: Section D General Federal Issues/Policies-Section 7 Consultations
• Date: 6/1/1979
• Title: Federal Water Rights 1973-83-Report of Federal Task Force on Non-Indian Reserved Rights
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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I. INTRODUCTION

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This Task Force was created pursuant to the President's Memorandum

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dated July 12, 1978, which directed federal agencies which manage lands

carrying with them reserved water rights to take the following actions:

Increase the level and quality of your atten-
tion to the Identification of Federal reserved
water rights. Focus particularly on areas
where water planning and management will be
Improved, where the protection of Federal
water uses 15 of hIghest Importance, and
where It 15 essential to reduce uncertainty
over future Federal assertions of right.

Seek an expeditious establishment and quanti-
fication of Federal reserved water rights
consistent with the priorities set out above.
This action should be accomplished prImarIly
through adminIstrative means, seeking formal
adjudicatIon only where necessary. Resolu-
tion of disputes Involving Federal water rights
shall Include a willingness to negotiate and
settle such rights In an orderly and final
manner, seekIng a balance with conflictIng
and established water uses. Where adjudIca-
tion Is necessary, It shall be actIvely pur-
sued by the agency to a speedy resolutIon.

Utilize a reasonable standard when assert-
Ing Federal reserved rights which reflects
true Federal needs, rather than theoretical
and hypothetical needs based on the full
legal extensIon of all possible rights. In
consultation with the Department of Justice,
each of you shal I develop procedures and
standards for the purpose of Implementing
these directives. These procedures and
standards shall be developed by June 6,
1979.