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<br />Western States Water Council <br />Executive Committee Minutes <br /> <br />Sheridan, Wyoming <br />October 5, 2006 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />do some sort of MOU or something that formally created a partnership so that we could avoid the issues <br />the Council encountered in dealing with the ESA protocol - - which was that when the document was <br />forwarded to the higher level folks, those folks turned it down. We want to ensure that the folks lower <br />down on the totum pole have the blessing of their superiors. The agreement will only be between the <br />Western States Water Council and the Corps of Engineers at this point. As it expands and other federal <br />agencies' roles are also identified, WGA may also join in if the federal agencies sign on. <br /> <br />With respect to how the report has been received, Shaun reported that many he has talked to in <br />governor's offices have been very pleased with the document, especially given the short timeframe <br />allowed under which to produce the r~port, and given the amount of input from those outside state <br />government that was included. It is perceived as a very valuable document. The WGA has tallied the <br />hits on the website for this document, and it has been quite substantial. Thus, it appears to be generating <br />a lot of excitement, not only in the western governors' offices, but across the country and the federal <br />agencIes. <br /> <br />B. Other Items <br /> <br />Shaun McGrath commented that many of the governors will be running for reelection. At a <br />minimum, there will be four new governors. Colorado and Nevada are term limited, Alaska lost in the <br />primary, and Idaho's governor became a cabinet secretary. <br /> <br />The energy report is taking a lot ofWGA staff time. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Before Congress adjourned, the NIDIS bill was passed through the House. It went through the <br />Senate Commerce Committee, and they were trying to get it to the floor, but ran out of time. WGA will <br />be working closely with them over the next month to try to make it non-controversial with the hope that it <br />may be attached to something that is moving in the lame duck session. <br /> <br />The governors sent a letter to: Congress with respect to LANDSAT as recommended by the <br />Western States Water Council. Gene Whitney of the White House Office of Science, Technology, and <br />Policy was very pleased to have received the letters from both the WGA and the WSWC. He felt they <br />were very helpful. <br /> <br />WGA will be hosting their Winter Meeting December 7-8 in Henderson, Nevada. The Staff <br />Council will also meet. The purpose is to start the Governors' preparation for the new Congress. We <br />will brief the Governors on the work to date regarding the "Water Needs and Strategies for a Sustainable <br />Future" report and make sure they stay engaged. The Farm Bill, drought, and NIDIS are also items on <br />the Staff Council agenda. <br /> <br />Governor Rounds of South Dakota is the Chair. A primary focus during his chairmanship will be <br />on workforce development. There will be a couple of panels on this. Administrator Johnson has been <br />invited to address Good Samaritan issues and air quality. Secretary Kempthorne and Secretary Johanns <br />have also been invited. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />4 <br />