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. . ~ II Western States Water Council Water Quality Committee San Antonio, Texas October 20, 2005 symposium that is being proposed for the Water Quality (WQ) Committee to take the lead on. The symposium is typically held in the August-September timeframe. This year, the Executive Committee asked if the WQ Committee would want to take on the symposium. Paul expressed interest in the particular topic of the proposed symposium, "State Watershed Programs and Strategies," saying there are a number of aspects of water quality that would fit well into this format; e.g. tmdls, SDW A source water protection, ESA, etc. Chairman Frohardt said there are two things that the Committee needs to decide today: 1) is there enough support by the Committee to take this on?; and 2) to discuss Committee interest if the Executive Committee chooses a different annual symposium topic. Stephen Bernath said, in Washington, they are currently looking at how watershed efforts can build-in water quality considerations. It would be important for water quality to interact with water resources in watershed planning. Stephen suggested we poll other states (who are not here) to see if they want to do it. 'Walt Baker said it is a timely discussion. He wondered if this topic had been discussed by others, in which case there may not be a need for yet another symposium on the topic. Joan Card said there was a recent meeting in Sacramento on watersheds. Paul Frohardt said a lot of action is taking place at the local level. There are also some efforts to organize states at a local watershed level. He would like to see how different governments interact. Tom Stiles said the more we can weigh in the better. We should use the symposium to break out of our narrow focus. The topic allows us to bring in water resources managers; ESA interests; etc. We can therefore make the symposium very cross-cutting. Stephen Bernath said Washington does have some experience in watershed planning. David Glatt said the topic would be beneficial to get people to come together. Joan Card agreed. In Arizona, they are trying to get TMDLs done, but have not had interaction with the watershed groups. She expressed concern that it is hard to have a lot of out-of- state trips, and this symposium would mean just that. Roger Gorke (EP A) said EP A has been pushing the concept of four pillars, with watershed planning being a part of that. 3