Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />Western States Water Council <br />Water Resources Committee Minutes <br /> <br />Sioux Falls, South Dakota <br />May 3, 2007 <br /> <br />Questions. Answers and Discussion <br /> <br />Hal Simpson: Do you know what the increase in funding for CREP was? <br /> <br />Mr. Lawson: There is no increase. <br /> <br />Weir: The total Farm Bill funding, relative to the previous Farm Bill, how does it that relate as far as <br />funding? <br /> <br />Dan Lawson: They expect to see significant savings in commodities price support spending. Overall <br />there will be increases in conservation programs. <br /> <br />Dave Pope: Could you clarify what will happen to the ground water - surface water program under <br />EQIP? Is that now under the Regional Water Enhancement Program for watersheds? <br /> <br />Dan Lawson: Yes, that is.correct. It will be consolidated, and there may be some changes in that <br />program. <br /> <br />Tony: RWEP would not be a discretionary spending item in the budget. <br /> <br />. Dave Pope: Several states have been using CREP to reduce water use. Is there any possibility in the new <br />Farm Bill for dry farmland crops? <br /> <br />Dan: I will see if} can find an answer. <br /> <br />Jeanine: The Council has a position developed for the Farm Bill listening sessions, as far as what the <br />WSWC would like in the reauthorization. What would the Council like to do in terms of this Farm Bill? <br /> <br />Tony: I'm sending around a letter that addresses support for the Regional Water Enhancement Program <br />(RWEP). This would require unanimous consent of the Council since it was not included in the 30-Day <br />Notice. The question for the Council is do we support this approach? Given that the Farm Bill will be <br />considered and passed, how does the WSWC most effectively weigh in? The WGA is pushing for an <br />amendment. <br /> <br />Weir: Should we deal with this in Bozeman? <br /> <br />Tony: Dan Keppen with the Family Farm Alliance is anxious for the Council to act. <br /> <br />Norm Semanko: There are additional groups that are supporting this letter (such as NRW A) and signing <br />on to this letter. I understand that this is add on money. <br /> <br />Roland Westergard: Is this consistent with the previous Council position? <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Tony: Yes <br /> <br />The Committee recommended that the Council consider the letter tomorrow. <br /> <br />7 <br />