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. . . Western States Water Council Water Resources Committee Minutes Boise, Idaho April 21, 2005 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Dave Pope called the meeting to order and welcomed Council members and guests. Self introductions were made around the room. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Water Resources Committee meeting in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico were unanimously approved as circulated prior to the meetings. PROPOSED POSITION/DROUGHT/NIDIS and WGA The Committee first addressed a newly proposed position in support of the National Drought Preparedness Act of 2005 (S. 802 and H.R. 1386), in the form of a letter to Senator Pete Domenici, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who introduced S. 802 last Thursday. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) is a cosponsor. The letter also supports extending current authorities under the Reclamation States Drought Assistance Act of 1991. Jack Stults explained the letter was not a reaction to the current drought. Drought is a natural climatic occurrence that affects some parts of the Nation every year. We're also not just talking about the current drought, but the last 500 years. Drought is not just a natural disaster, because there is now no national policy on how to respond to water shortages. Jack briefly reviewed the history behind the drought bill and explained the Western Governors' Association's and the Council's support for the bill. This is a longstanding priority. Our drought activities are consistent with our water supply and conservation interests and similarly with federal agencies. We need better policy coordination and consistency across federal agencies, with respect to triggers, eligibility criteria, etc. The proposed legislation creates a Drought Council, but most importantly it changes the policy paradigm from response to preparedness and planning - counter to current federal programs (under the Stafford Act). It also provides for an assistance fund to finance drought risk reduction activities. Further, it would establish an Office of Drought in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to assist the Drought Council, under the Assistant Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources. Lastly, it authorizes a National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), which began as a WGA initiative, with NOAA now as the lead federal agency. Jack referred people to the WGA website for background on drought and NIDIS, and encouraged members to educate, as necessary, their governors. Last Friday, the WGA sponsored briefings on the House and Senate sides of the Hill, with participation by federal agencies. The briefings were well attended and there were some good questions from congressional staff. Jack suggested we need to encourage our congressmen to cosponsor the bill, and unite in calling for a hearing as soon as possible. 3