WSP12258

• File Number: 8021
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Western States Water Council
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/7/1994
• Author: Western States Water
• Title: Western States Water 1994 - Issues 1025-1076
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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WESTERN
STATES
WATER

June 17, 1994
Issue No. 1048

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recycled paper
conserves water

TIlE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF TIlE WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL

Creekview Plaza, Suite A-2011 942 East 7145 So. I Midvale, Utah 84047 I [phone] I FAX [phone]

ChaIrman - Dave Kennedy; -Executive Director. Craig Bell; ~ditor - Norm Johnson; Typist - Carrie Curvin

ENVIRONMENT

Endangered Species Act

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The Clinton Administration has announced
certain changes in Endangered Species Act (ESA)
implementation intended to foster political support
for its eventual reauthorization. Interior Secretary
Bruce Babbitt and Undersecretary of Commerce
James Baker, head of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, outlined several new
directives on June 14. The policies are designed to
enhance cooperation undenhe ESA among property
owners, and state and federal agencies.

Secretary Babbitt emphasized that the ESA' s
"flexibility and administrative discretion" allows for
the new policy directives. However, he noted that,
since enactment of the ESA twenty years ago, there
has been almost "no attempt to broaden the science
Isic] basis for decision making; in fact [there has
been] a fairly begrudging and narrow view of the
need for broad involvement." The new directives
are intended to "make the Act more effective in
preserving listed species while enhancing its
flexibility for business and private landowners."

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Important changes in the directives will require
the peer review of three independent specialists for
species listings and recovery plans and include. non-
scientists in the planning process. The goal is to
broaden the level of expertise and minimize social
and economic effects of recovery planning. Multi-
species listings and recovery plans for species
sharing the same ecosystem will be emphasized.
Government agencies will promptly identify
prohibited and permissible activities affecting listed
species and further streamline ESA administration.

WATER RESOURCES

Bureau of Reclamation/Wllter Conservation

Under the Reclamation Reform Act and certain
contract obligations, water districts served by the
Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) must develop water
conservation plans. (WSW #1025) Copies of
proposed guidelines and criteria were release<l. in
April, and BoR is now extending the comment
period to July 29, 1994. Most comments to date
have focused on the level of detail and
environmental documentation called for in
conservation plans, conservation pricing, and
scheduling for submittal of conservation plans.
Questions have also been raised about any technical
assistance that might be available for preparing and
implementing plans. Reclamation has expressed
interest in working with water users,state, federal
and local agencies, and other interested individuals
and groups to manage, develop and protect water
and related resources in an environmentally and
economically sound manner. Address comments to
the following regional offices: Upper Colorado
region, Michael Stuver at [phone]; Lower
Colorado region, Steven Jones at [phone];
MidPacific region, Elizabeth Reifsnider at (916) 978.
5038; Pacific Northwest region, Allen Powers at
[phone]; Great Plains region, Leonard
Duberstein at [phone].

WESTERN GOVERNORS' ASSOCIATION

Annual Meeting

The Western Governors' Association (WGA)
recently held its annual meeting at Lake Tahoe in