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<br />Committee Chair Norman Mineta (D-CA) has released
<br />a revised version of H.R. 3948, to reauthorize the
<br />Clean Water Act (CWA). The revised bill is very similar
<br />to the original version. The section on wetlands,
<br />however, has been significantly rewritten. It now calls
<br />for creation of state wetlands conservation plans, wnh
<br />the EPA Administrator making grants to states wnh
<br />plans that meet certain requirements, Also, states
<br />would be required to designate wetland management
<br />unns and entnles. The bill provides for expedned
<br />review of Section 404 permns that are compatible wnh
<br />approved plans, formation of mitigation banks, and the
<br />expanded use of general permns. Attempts to further
<br />amend the bill's section on wetlands are anticipated,
<br />Including efforts to add compensation provisions for
<br />regulatory takings.
<br />
<br />Efforts are underway to have the committee include
<br />in Its marl(ed-up version of Ii.R. 0048 language similar
<br />to Section 602 of S, 1114, to reauthorize CWA, which
<br />would allow states, as part of their CWA Section 401
<br />certification, to assure that federally licensed activnles
<br />comply wnh water quality standards, Including the
<br />protection, attainment, and maintenance of designated
<br />and existing water uses that are part of the standards.
<br />There is broad support for this clarifying language
<br />among state officials and environmental organizations.
<br />The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the
<br />hydropower Industry, however, have joined forces to
<br />oppose n <Y'ISW #1040).
<br />
<br />In the Senate, the staff of the Environment
<br />Committee continues to gather input on potential
<br />amendments to S. 1114. They plan to take the bill to
<br />the floor in June, ARhough the Committee reported
<br />out the bill, n did so after reaching only tentative
<br />agreement wnh respect to a number of Important
<br />issues. Consensus must be reached on these issues
<br />to avoid an involved floor battle.
<br />
<br />yVATER RESOURCES
<br />Water Supply Outlook
<br />
<br />As of April 1, dismal snowpack percentages and
<br />streamflow forecasts in many areas dim the water
<br />supply outlook. Precipnatlon in March was less than
<br />70% of average across much of the West, and spring
<br />and summer runoff are projected to be below to well-
<br />below normal, wnh some exceptions In northern New
<br />Mexico, southern Colorado, and northeastern
<br />
<br />Wyoming. The snowpack usually peaks on April 1
<br />but, wnh the exception of the latter areas, snowpack
<br />Is generally below average, and less than 70% of
<br />average across most of the West. Only in Alaska Is
<br />the statewide snowpack near average, although n Is
<br />substantially less than last year. Fortunately, reservoir
<br />storage In most states is still near or above average
<br />due to above average precipitation last year.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />wnh respect to major western river basins, runoff
<br />for the mainstem Arkansas Is predicted to be 73-84%
<br />of average, although selected tributaries should have
<br />above average runoff. Dry, warm condnlons have
<br />dropped runoff forecasts for the Upper Colorado River,
<br />and Lake Powell inflow is projected at 67%.
<br />Streamflows in the Lower Colorado are also forecast
<br />to be below median. Similarly, Columbia River
<br />forecasts are below average, wnh runoff projections
<br />ranging from 80-100% in the Upper Colurnbi& and
<br />Kootenai above Libby Dam, to only 20-50% In parts of
<br />eastern Oregon and southern Idaho. Runoff at The
<br />Dalles is expected to be 69%.
<br />
<br />Spring runoff along the eastern slope of the Sierra
<br />Nevada in the western Great Basin is expected to be
<br />only about one-third of average. March preclpnatlon
<br />was only 20-35%, and thesnowpack decreased to
<br />40%. In the Wasatch Mountains and eastern Great
<br />Basin spring/summer streamflows are predicted
<br />between 55-85%. Runoff in most Missouri Basin
<br />streams Is forecast to be below average, but
<br />projections Increased slightly In the Yellowstone Basin.
<br />The Rio Grande River outlook averages between 85-
<br />91%. However, streamflows In New Mexico should
<br />range from 1 01-178%, wnh the exception of the
<br />Jemenez Basin at 77%.
<br />
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<br />
<br />In California, March precipitation was only 40% of
<br />average statewide, reaching 60% for the season,
<br />compared to 150% last year. The Sierra snowpack
<br />has dropped to 50%, llnd statewide runoff is expected
<br />to range from 40-45%. The Sacramento River system
<br />should yield only about 8.5M acre-feet, well below the
<br />historical average of 18.4M acre-feet, which is less
<br />than all but one of the recent drought years. Wnhout
<br />more rain and snow, California faces another .crnlcally
<br />dry year.. However, storage In 155 major reservoirs in
<br />California remains near 95% of average and will
<br />sustain the state through the next year, Final
<br />forecasts for the season will be Issued In early May.
<br />(SCS Water Supply Outlook, April 1)
<br />
<br />The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of .
<br />member states - AJaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon,
<br />South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and a""^"""'e member states Montana and Oklahoma.
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