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Western States Water Council Water Resources Committee Minutes Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico October 28,2004 . private consultants." All USGS costs are billed to the program, including travel, infrastructure, administrative salary, etc. "We're paying true costs." Tony Willardson mentioned it appears that only $3 million more is needed to match western states contributions under the Cooperative Water Program. Jack Stults raised the need for partnerships in securing additional funding and mentioned Allen Powers and the Western Coalition of Conservation Districts as possible allies. He also suggested we could "braid in" the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) working group, which is seeking to bring together water, climate and weather informa~ion. Sue Lowry stated that - along the lines of getting the facts - she was serving on another Cooperative Program review task force with Barney Austin of Texas and others. The task force is looking at how USGS has addressed earlier recommendations for program improvements. They will be meeting next in a couple of weeks in Denver, with a report expected by the end of the year. The report will include a state-by-state listing of lost gages. Dave suggested that the only difference he sees now with USGS is that the National Streamgaging Information Program (NSIP) is filling in some gaps left as states decline to match funding . for specific gages. Sue's task force will provide more current information. Allen Powers asked how they could participate as far as western issues. Dave suggested that staff create a 1-2 page strategy and to do list for states, non-federal partners, and others. Jack added that the National Research Council is looking to do something in water. Rod Kuharich asked about satellite technology work that might replace SNOTEL snow measurement and monitoring sites. He also added that the USGS seems to "have the uncanny ability to identify those sites [to discontinue] that are critical to us." The discussion turned to water development, which it is feared will come up short of anticipated demands. Interior's Water 2025 initiative was an attempt - woefully underfunded - to address growing conflicts and concerns over our future water supply. New water development and water reuse will be important in meeting the future demands created by growth. Pat Tyrrell asked a general question on data related to water use and the movement away from gravity irrigation systems to center pivots. Wyoming's experience seems to be that it is almost counter productive. Rather than using less water, consumptive use increases. He'd like to have some more information. . 4