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Western States Water Council Full Council Minutes Washington, D.C. March 29, 2006 . Stream Information Program (NSIP). The Cooperative Water Program (CWP) and related Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) cuts threaten many gages. "I've met with them." On another data matter, he noted USGS will manage information from a new Landsat 8 satellite to be launched in the future. There are problems with Landsat 7 and Landsat 5, which has performed well beyond its projected useful life. "We will work with you, and hope to keep thermal imaging capabilities." We now have a geospatial program office in Interior. We are looking to empower the private sector. We need flexibility. There are tremendous opportunities for technological innovation. We hope to have a geospatial one stop portal. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is promoting a new line of business with one platform. Interior is taking the lead in developing a common federal architecture. The technology of the future will include "management tools we haven't had before." Lastly, Mark praised retiring BOR CommissionerJohn Keys. "It has been ajoy to work with him. He is a fine gentleman and wonderful human being. He will be a friend for the rest of my life. He has had your best interests at heart." Questions and Answers Sue Lowry asked about the loss of USGS streamgages funded by the Bureau ofIndian Affairs . (BIA) in the Upper Missouri River Basin. Mark suggest BIA needs to hear from you, and the Congress too. The Bureau of Reclamation is looking at some of the gages to see if there is any BOR nexus that would justify BaR funding some. The Corps is here also. I've talked with their Assistant Secretary. Tom Maddock asked, regarding the ESA Protocol: "What can you do within the framework of the law?" He said some scientific societies have suggestions for reforming ESA, which might be incorporated. Mark said that Interior's Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks needs to be engaged. We need to find common areas of agreement. Where are theirissues? We do plan to move forward. The Department is looking generally at how they do business, so it is a good time, a perfect time, to do something. Weir Labatt expressed appreciation for Mark's attendance and receptiveness to WSWC members' interests. Mark: "You're the ones on the ground that we need to listen to." Rod Kuharich also thanked Mark and the BOR for their assistance and modeling ability to support the seven basin states with their shortage criteria negotiations. Mark noted that was a tribute to John Keys and his people. We will work together, and I appreciate your comments. . 4