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<br />.. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />!i <br />II <br />. <br /> <br />Western States Water Council <br />Water Resources Committee Minutes <br /> <br />Sheridan, Wyoming <br />October 5, 2006 <br /> <br />Phil Ward: "Is there a grassroots network of support?" , <br /> <br />Brenda: "No. There is some concern, but nothing from small towns." <br /> <br />John Utton: "Is there some provision for Indian tribes?" <br /> <br />Non-federal entities eligible under the Act are defined to include Indian tribes and tribal <br />organizations. \ <br /> <br />Tony asked about eligibility criteria and assessments, as well as collaboration with states and other <br />federal agencies, which is required by the Act. <br /> <br />Dale Frink: "What's rural?" <br /> <br />Brenda: "Rural is defined as a community ofless than 50,000..." or a project serving a group of communities, <br />each of which is less than 50,000 population." <br /> <br />Dale: "Will there still be individual project authorizations and or program appropriations?" <br /> <br />Brenda: "I don't think that's been formulated yet. Usually, between Congress and the Administration there <br />is some give and take over earmarks." <br /> <br />THE RECLAMATION FUND <br /> <br />Louis Mauney, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Assistant Director for Program and Budget, presented <br />members with a general overview of the operations oftfue Reclamation Fund using a Powerpoint he has used <br />with OMB and Congressional staff, as well as new Interior employees. He noted upfront that there is <br />no"reflow" authority, it is not a revolving fund, and all expenditures have to be appropriated. For FY2007, <br />Reclamation's $931 million budget request would get $709 million (86%) from the Reclamation Fund. In <br />1984, Congress eliminated a $350 million limitation, and now no specific dollar amount is required from the <br />Fund. Certain appropriations for the Western Area Power Administration (W AP A) also come from the Fund. <br />The unobligated balance in the Fund is growing, mainly due to federal oil and gas royalty revenues, a part <br />of which are credited to the Fund. W AP A expenditures have declined, and Reclamation spending has been <br />flat, further accelerating the increasing balance. It is estimated that by the end of FY2007, the Reclamation <br />Fund balance will be around $7.27 billion. He displayed a pie chart illustrating Fund receipts. <br /> <br />Questions and Answers <br /> <br />Norm Semanko: "Will oil and gas receipts continue?" <br /> <br />Louis Mauney: Yes. <br /> <br />Roland Westergard: "Do you have examples of projects supported by the Fund?" <br /> <br />15 <br />