PUB00145 ‎(2)‎

• Year: 2005
• Title: Western States Water Council - Seattle, WA., July 13-15, 2005
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Description: Western States Water Council - Seattle, WA., July 13-15, 2005
• Publications - Doc Type: Water Policy

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vrvESTERN STATES vrv ATER OOUNCIL

942 East North Union Avenue, Suite A-2011 Midvale, Utah 84047-17641 [phone] I FAX [phone]

Web Page: www.westgov.orglwswc

MEMORANDUM

TO:

Council Members

G ~ROM:
DATE:

D. Craig Bell, Executive Director

July 5, 2005

RE:

Policy Positions

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Pursuant to a policy adopted last year, a conference call of the Executive Committee was held
June 27 to air any concerns about proposed positions, and to address them as appropriate. As a result
of this discussion, changes in the proposed positions were made for forwarding to the full Council for
consideration. These changes are highlighted inthe positions which follow, which were included in the
30-day Notice. One position was rewritten substantially. We have therefore included this new version
on USGS funding, and also the position that was mailed out with the 30-day Notice. In a recent
development, a proposed position has been drafted about House report language in a funding bill which
strongly discourages activities of the USGS that could be done by the private sector. If the Council
chooses to endorse this position, it will need to waive the 30-day notice. The draft position was
emailed to Executive Committee members and copied to Water Resources Committee members.

With regard to those positions scheduled to sunset, the Executive Committee determined that it
will recommend to the Council that positions 239, a letter expressing interest in legislation dealing with
the conservation and management of the High Plains Aquifer; position 240, a letter expressing concerns
with S. 1961, the Water Investment Act of 2002; position 241 commemorating the 100th anniversary of
the Reclamation Act; position 242 commemorating 2002 as the "Year of Clean Water;" position 244, a
letter written to then Administrator Whitman regarding promulgation of TMDL rules; position 245 in
the form of a letter regarding draft legislation developed by WESTCAS; and the Council's revised
position regarding reauthorization of the Clean Water Act, position 246, should all be allowed to
sunset. The Executive Committee will recommend that Position 243, reaffirming the Council's position
regarding water efficiency standards for plumbing products, should be readopted.

Members of the Executive Committee on the conference call felt that the call served a useful
purpose. Of course, other changes may be made at the Council meetings. However, the call provided
an opportunity to streamline the process by identifying in advance concerns with the proposed
positions.

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