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. . . Western States Water Council Water Resources Committee Minutes Washington, D.C. March 28, 2006 Bill: Those are good points, Rod. We recognize the storage component. You characterize things very well. How do we balance the efforts? It is a challenge. Ann Bleed: Following up on Rod's comments, we need to find ways to pay for it. Is there a process to reauthorize some of the irrigation projects? Tom Donnelly: It is my understanding that you would have to come back to Congress. I don't see any other way around that. But I don't think it would be all that difficult. Craig Bell: Pursuant to authorization of the Executive Committee, we will help cosponsor the April 27-28 meeting. In terms of action plans, are they fully developed? Bill: They are, but we need input from you. We need good information back from you. Commit your resources to these efforts. We've picked out team leaders and plans. Jack Stults: Thanks for coming here today. What do you see the role of the BOR itself to be, in terms of the lack of flexibility? We see problems with the St. Mary's project. It is not used the way it was conceived originally. My sense is that the BOR is hypercautious. Bill Rinne: I have to be very careful in my statements. It is a state or locally driven process. As these processes go forward, at Reclamation we are not going to go out and push that kind of legislation forward. Tom Donnelly: I think the State of Montana is lining up correctly. Bill cannot speak because OMB will not allow him to. US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ACTIVITIES Kevin Craig, Corps Team Leader, made a Powerpoint presentation with an overview of water resources related activities. They are a branch of the Army, so they are working on the war on terror. Civil Works is one of two major engineering programs. There are three division offices that cover almost entirely the same area as the Western States Water Council. The Corps is also interested in restoring and modernizing their infrastructure. They are also active in disaster response, especially since last year's hurricanes. The Corps operates 383 flood control projects. Hydropower at the reservoirs constitutes the fourth largest network in the country. Navigation is a major mission task, as is water supply - water for municipal and industrial use. The Corps is also the world's largest water recreation supplier. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is the primary vehicle authorizing Corps funds. For study opportunities, they are individually authorized by Congress in WRDA. These are all cost shared programs. General investigation funding has shown a steady decline. That is in line with the Administration's priorities. The Corps HQ wants to assure watershed planning initiatives are funded. 11