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. . . Western States Water Council Water Resources Committee Minutes Seattle, Washington July 14, 2005 Jeanine Jones: "Language in our past letters has expressed the need that the program have a higher priority." It was discussed in depth and changes were suggested, before it was approved with the understanding that there would be further changes negotiated with other signatory agencies and it was agreed that Hal Simpson as Chairman could accept such changes on the Council's behalf. Dave Vogler moved adoption of the letter as our policy position, and Weir Labatt was the second. It was approved. A 2nd draft USGS letter addressed to Interior Secretary Gale Norton declared the Council's strong support for the CWP. One version was sent out with the 30-day notice, but it was amended pursuant to an Executive Committee conference call prior to the meeting. That version was the vehicle for discussion. The letter was further amended to clarify the CWP should be restored to its past 50%-50% federaVnon-federal funding match. Further, language was added stating CWP funding should be a high USGS priority. Weir Labatt moved and Sue seconded its adoption, which was approved. A 3rd draft letter addressed to Senator Conrad Bums expressed the Council's concern over the language in the House version of theFY 2006 Interior Appropriations Bill disapproving of USGS Water Resources Division work that competes with commercial services provided by the private sector. The letter states that the Council opposes any effort to force the privatization of CWP related USGS services. It was discussed and a separate paragraph added recognizing USGS existing policy to avoid competition with the private sector. The letter was moved by Duane Smith and seconded by Weir. It was approved. One further note was that a liaison from NOAA should be assigned to attend Council meetings. CL~TEUMPACTSANDSNOWPAC~SNO~LTDATA Dr. Phil Mote with the University of Washington next addressed the Committee. He is working with a consortium that includes the University of Colorado, Arizona and San Diego on a global climate variability and water modeling. Global heat flow radiates infrared wavelengths [out going] and the Greenhouse Effect is due to surface radiation greater than that from the sun. There is no doubt about heating from fossil fuel burning (though there is some natural warming) with warming since the late 1890s due to human activity. It is statistically significant in the West. Since 1950, we have experienced a 1.5 degree warming. The South Cascade Glacier is receding, as is virtually every glacier in the West. Our study of April 1 snow water equivalents show snow course measurements have declined at 75% of the sites, with some declines of 70-80%. The largest declines in the Northwest and in California. There is now less snow on April 1. As a result, there are three key hydrologic changes that will impact water management. First, there is a shift to earlier peak flows. Second, we will see increased winter flows and rainfall, and third, summer flows will decrease. Evidence gathered by the University of California - San Diego shows these changes are already taking place with larger March and lower June flows. Regarding earlier spring pulse dates, peak flows coming 5-20 days earlier have been observed, consistent with climatic warming. 7