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Western States Water Council Water Resources Committee Minutes Seattle, Washington July 14, 2005 . Jack Stults thought we should raise BHP as a priority program with Commissioner Keys when he speaks tomorrow, as they may have turned away from their Water 2025 Initiative, after it appears they may have lost their authority for the 2025 effort. In Montana, "Water 2025 hasn't got us excited, as with BHP." Sue agreed that Water 2025 shouldn't replace BHP and the Field Services program. WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT & FUNDING SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT Jeanine Jones next described a subcommittee conference call and work on the Farm Bill. She said, "The reason for focusing on the Farm Bill is the same as bank robbers. That's where the money is." About 1/3rd of our states have some USDA agreement. She mentioned a number of programs: the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), salinity control, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Nevada Senator Harry Reid's Desert Terminal Lakes, rural development, small lakes, etc. Jeanine noted that under Tab L there was a Federal Register notice regarding a number of public forums and a call for comments on issues related to the next 2007 Farm Bill. She added that the subcommittee will develop a letter for consideration by the Council to submit by the end of the year. This USDA rulemaking may provide a significant opportunity for the Council to promote a national priority for water conservation, in addition to non-point source pollution prevention efforts, etc. In conversation with . NRCS, regarding their recent call for comments on national EQIP priorities, they got about 60-70 comment letters and. 1 0% referred to the Colorado River salinity control program. The Farm Bill will be part of our next roundtable discussion on Wednesday, October 19, in San Antonio (as well as Clean Water Act (CW A) State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and rural water supply legislation - S. 895). Other topics will be discussed tomorrow over breakfast. "SCIENTIFIC BASES OF COLORADO RIVER BASIN WATER MANAGEMENT" Jeanine next described a National Academy of Science (NAS) study review entitled "Scientific Bases of Colorado River Basin Water Management." Jeanine explained that the WSWC had worked to redirect the study toward science, and away from a policy review on management of the Colorado River. The review group includes Eluid Martinez and Jeff Fassett, both former WSWC members. Their 1 sl meeting is next week in Boulder, Colorado to get to know each other. They plan a Fall public workshop. Connie Woodhouse with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tree ring studies, is also involved. Some estimates of river flows from earlier studies were lower, and actual Colorado River flows were greater than estimated. The topic was discussed at an Upper Colorado River Basin meeting. WATER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS lWIMS) WORKSHOP Tony briefly referred members to the WIMS announcement, and requested comments on topics for the agenda. The USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) is one possible workshop session. These workshops have been very successful in the past. . 10