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. . . Western States Water Council Legal Committee Washington, DC March 27, 2006 Tom Maddock: What is the peer review process? Craig responded about the process of law reviews. It is edited thoroughly prior to publication. Jim Davenport was instrumental in getting the article published. STATE REPORTS: Arizona Herb Guenther: We had zero percent snowpack and then suddenly we had one storm and went from o to 52% of average. We were successful in putting together an agreement between the 7 basins states. It involves a coordinated effort on dam operations at Lake Mead and Lake Powell. This is the first time this has been done. In 40 days, we accomplished the effort. It has the potential to be something we look back at and agree that it was a good deal. Question: The states have reached a preliminary agreement, where do you go from here? Herb Guenther: It is now in the NEP A process. If we get a record of decision that supports the proposal, then we should be on our way. Bill Staudenmaier: Is there any risk of change due to the change of personnel at the Department of Interior? Herb Guenther: It doesn't seem so. I think we'll be successful. It is a unique agreement. Colorado Rod Kuharich: Last week, my group authorized the Colorado negotiators to sign the memorandum of agreement. We are on solid ground in getting the preferred alternative out of the EIS with what we negotiated here. Interior would be mixing business with suicide if they don't approve it. The 7 basin states recognize the finite nature of the water available in the river and have agreed to the process as Herb talked about, these extraordinary conservation natures, and also augmentation of supplies to the Colorado River. Engineering sources have been working with the 7 basin states on such supplies as system improvements and active weather modification. Mark Udall and Kay Bailey Hutchison will be offering a bill on weather modification. Herb Guenther: There is a white paper by North American Weather Consultants on weather modification. There is a potential for augmentation assistance. Herb has something to distribute to members through the Council. Larry Anderson: It was a very good proposal. In the Lower Basin they came up with a term: "intentionally created surplus," trying to get water to the Lower Basin. Water stays at Imperial Dam, then down to Morales. Reclamation is looking at creating a dam at a section called Drop 2. Estimated cost to build this reservoir is $80M. We believe we can save up to 80,000 af of water per year. Could even help out the Upper Basin. NY has said they will pay for the reservoir, rather than going through the Bureau. For doing that, NY would receive 280,000 af of extra water; they would take it at a rate of 40,000 af a year for 3