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. . . Western States Water Council Full Council Minutes Seattle, Washington July 15, 2005 Regarding strategic objectives, he discussed a new Corps' paradigm moving towards going to clients and asking about their needs. The Corps isn't going to build another Santa Ana River concrete ditch. He noted that out of a $4 billion civil works budget, about 20% is earmarked for environmental benefits. He explained that districts are all now funded at the project level, and they need money for projects to pay salaries. However, we can't truly operate as a business, given national security and the Army's personnel system, which need to be more flexible. Sometimes, local politics is an obstacle. Also, we have no national or regional coherence. We are pushing a watershed planning approach- seeking local grassroots support, while trying to expand our capabilities. He showed a Corps Regions map, and said he is trying to change the South pacific Division name to the Western Division "How can we help you achieve your objectives?" We need your help. I've been to a lot of forums, with no product. Senior Corps leadership thinks this is the group to make things work. We need to bring the whole federal family together. I'm committed to creating a Federal working group to coordinate with the WSWC. I'll be the liaison for the four Corps western divisions. "Let us know what you want us to do." The Bureau of Reclamation's budget is about $1 billion, my division's budget is about $1 billion, and we need to get other agencies together to get things done. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) is limiting resources for other purposes. The Congress gives the Corps too little money for enforcement (only 2 % of our budget), so we can't do the job. I've increase that percentage of money in the West, considering growth and Endangered Species Act ~eeds, so we spend a little more for regulatory work. With respect to water management challenges, "How can we make a difference for you?" The fastest growing states are in the West. I have 120 members of Congress in my Division. How do we deal with Sacramento's growth? Its flood protection levees are at risk. The Southern California water supply is at risk. The are geographic hot spots for endangered species. The Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Director has said his budget has been cut by 5% per year for five years. He said, "I'm not going to do more with less. I'm going to do less with less." I said, "You're not going to hold up any more of my permits!" We'll issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSn, and "to hell" with Section 7 consultation. There are tools the Corps brings to the table, including a model for coordination. The Upper Rio Grande Operations Model (URGOM) is an example. From Cochiti Reservoir downstream we are tracing water flows and uses. We are working in the Albuquerque Bosque to eliminate tamarisk. "We all want to live here [in the West], but no one entity can take all the water." There are many water issues. The Guadalupe is another example. The WSWC as an organization can help federal agencies westwide, but we also need to work together state-by-state. The Corps civil works program is in a battle of its own. Rep. David Hobson (D-OH) chairs the House Appropriations Committee's Energy & Water Subcommittee. He's asked us to figure out what our national priorities are. "How do you do that?" The Congress is clamping down on redirecting construction money, "fencing" the money and denying reprogramming requests. We're being asked, "Where it is, and where do we need it." We're caught in a national priority scheme. A 7