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operations (WSW #1051). In this context, the Mineral Policy Center has issued a report that allegedly documents western state governments' "...failure to protect rivers, streams and underground aquifers from mining-caused contamination and pollution." On the other hand, a report recently prepared by S.Barringer, of Holland and Hart for the Mineral Water Resources Alliance, entitled "Survey of Ground-Water Protection Programs in the Western United States," concluded that each of the 13 western states surveyed has enacted ground-water quality programs which govern mine operations. It found that "no mining operation on public or private lands can escape state requirements controlling discharges to ground water." Safe Drinking Water Act Since Senate approval of a bill reauthorizing the Safe Drinking Water Act (WSW #1045), House debate has stalled over drin.king water contaminant standards. Two months of debate in the House Energy and Commerce Committee has reportedly generated an agreement on a method for setting standards. But sharp divisions on standards for radon, arsenic and sulfates, which are still under intensive EPA study, threaten to preclude a bipartisan bill this Congress. P ATIONS The Idaho Code Commission recently published an extensive supplement to the Idaho water code incorporating changes made by the Idaho legislature from 1991 through 1994. The supplement contains provisions for a comprehensive state water plan and for interim designation of protected rivers, and promoting and encouraging ground-water recharge projects. It also contains provisions for expedited approval of minor water uses of .short duration and for emergency transfers during drought conditions. New procedures for water rights adjudication and dist;ibution are covered, including changes in point of diversion or place, period or nature of water use. The supplement also contains new provisions governing operations of irrigation districts and local improvement districts. Several provisions pertain to the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA). They extend the moratorium on appropriations from the Snake River and its tributaries and the waivers of state water law to allow flows for salmon. New provisions find that accomplished transfers representing a continuation of historical water use patterns are in the public interest, and "waive the mandatory permit requirements for...enlargements in use prior to the commencement of a general adjudication, so long as such enlargements of use did not increase the rate of diversion of the original water right or exceed the rate of diversion for irrigation." Idaho's Supreme Court recently ruled these legislative findings eliminate local public interest considerations in determining the nature and extent of expanded or changed water rights initiated prior to the SRBA. Also citing the State legislature's lack of reference to the public trust doctrine, the Court upheld the lower court's ruling denying the conservation groups' motion to compel consideration of the public trust doctrine in the context of water appropriations. (WSW #1053) . Other provisions restoring the Idaho Department of Water Resources' role as technical advisor (rather than a party) to general adjudications also make the Director's report prima facie evidence of water rights acquired under state law. New sections further require federal claimants to file directly with the court, give notice to other parties and prove the validity of the water rights claimed. These provisions are intended to defray costs of processing federal claims, in response to a 1993 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that federal agencies are exempt from Idaho filing fees. . MEET1NGS The Western States Water Council will hold its 115th meeting August 17-19 in Cody, Wyoming. The schedule of meetings follows. Wednesdav. Auaust 17 Field Trip Management Subcommittee Clean Water Act Subcommittee Endangered Species Act Subcommittee 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Thursdav. Auaust 18 Water Quality Committee Legal Committee Executive Committee Water Resources Committee Social Hour and Chuck Wagon Dinner 8:00 a.m. 10:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Fridav. Auaust 19 115th Quarterly Meeting 8:30 a.m. . The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of member states - Alaska, Arizona, Calnomia, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, and associate member states Montana, Oklahoma, and Washington.