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Western States Water Council Executive Committee Minutes Seattle, Washington July 14, 2005 . Jeanine Jones noted that the border governors have recently elevated water, which used to be a subcategory of their environmental work, to a standalone level. They are interested in putting resources into water. Shaun stated that the border governors are invited to the WGA meetings. At the recent WGA Annual Meeting, they had four Canadian Premiers in attendance. Rod Kuharich said it is encouraging to hear Herb talk about looking to the future. Virtually every major river basin has identified shortfalls after 2030. It will become a long-term process in Colorado, and I'm glad to hear that Herb will be working with Lori Faeth on that. Hal asked about the procedure for working with the Governor. Shaun suggested that he, of course, can discuss the outcome of this meeting with the WGA Staff Council member (Lori Faeth), but said that it is much better if the WSWC gives clear direction to Lori to take back to the Governor. That way it actually comes through the Governor's Office, as opposed to staff handling it. Herb said that he believes the Governor would. be very receptive to the Council focusing on some of the key elements of her strategy. She has a very ambitious water policy program in Arizona, and she is trying to gain additional insight from western states as to how we move forward to deal with long-term water supply needs. Shaun proposed having a clear idea of what WSWC would be asking for -- the outcome and . potential speakers - present a vision of what the summit could encompass and produce. Duane Smith said he tried to make a list of items that Herb mentioned - conservation, agricultural/municipal (long-term planning), weather modification, desalination, water distribution in rural areas, and infrastructure needs for rural areas. The WSWC has supported Interior's rural water supply bill, weather modification, Interior's conservation initiatives, and Duane suggested that the Council should delineate what we're about in the same way Herb had mentioned thejdeas the Governor sees as priorities. We should say that these are the particular things that we are pushing and we'd like to have a summit to explain those and to gain support for those things. In that context, I think a meeting could be very influential for us. Craig asked Shaun to describe what a WGA summit is comprised of. A summit may typically consist of a single topic where they bring in a broad array of stakeholders, break into groups and come up with some recommendations, and then the governors hear them and discuss the recommendations and move forward. In the plenary sessions, they often have very high level folks, such as the Secretary of Interior, heads of different industry groups and agencies to engage with the governors on the issues. Even the break-out groups included folks at a very high level. The point is to get some recommendations that can be taken to the governors for consideration and possibly develop policy on. A subcommittee consisting of Rod Kuharich, Jack Stults, Ken Slattery and Herb Guenther will meet to discuss the Council's objectives and ways of approaching Governor Napolitano in the hope of being included in a summit or plenary session. Hal asked Herb Guenther to Chair the subcommittee. Herb agreed to be the Chair and to schedule a meeting with Governor Napolitano to further explore a . potential avenue for WSWC input. Shaun felt it may be very possible to include a plenary session on 4