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<br />Western States Water Council <br />Water Resources Committee Minutes <br /> <br />Sioux Falls, South Dakota <br />May 3, 2007 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />NIDIS IMPLEMENTATIONINATIONAL DROUGHT POLICY ACT - Shaun McGrath <br /> <br />Shaun explained that NOAA has established a NIDIS national office in Boulder, Colorado. <br />Roger Pulwarty is the director. USGS will be signing an interpersonnel agreement (IP A) and detailing <br />help. The NIDIS implementation team is in the process of being finalized. They are trying to build up <br />data and an internet portal providing useful information at the regional level. It will be more than a <br />glorified website. Pilot projects are proposed, and one will likely be the Colorado River Basin. <br />They hope to have everything in place by 2013. NIDIS is not being run by the National Drought <br />Mitigation Center. He added that WGA has submitted a grant proposal to NOAA to help get engaged, <br />and the response has been positive. <br /> <br />He reported on the National Drought Preparedness Act, which has been introduced a couple of <br />times. Shaun has talked to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Domenici. They are working on <br />repackaging it. The WGA Staff Council wants to expand it and make it part of a climate change bill. <br />Rep. Mark Udall also wants to put the focus on climate change. WGA is testitying this afternoon on <br />climate research and a national climate survey. <br /> <br />OUAGGAAND ZEBRA MUSSELS AND THE tOOTH MERIDIAN INITIATIVE - Shaun McGrath <br /> <br />WGA has a strong policy on invasive species. The 100th Meridian Group has asked WGA to <br />collaborate. A related letter is under Tab R. Shaun asked if there is any interest in the states devoting <br />staff to work with 100th Meridian and other groups. Jeanine stated that California is "up to their necks" <br />in quagga mussels. They would be able to devote some staff. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />WIMS WORKSHOP - Ken Slattery <br /> <br />Ken noted that Tab S has workshop registration information for the September meeting in Seattle. <br />For those interested in the advancement oftechnology for assisting in water resources, this meeting is <br />very useful. He urged all states to send someone to the workshop. This is a good opportunity to find out <br />what in the technical arena in each state is doing. Abstracts will be due soon. <br /> <br />OTHER MATTERS <br /> <br />Texas request related to Reclamation's TATS program was added to the agenda. <br /> <br />Also, concerning the big picture and the Farm Bill, we may not want to wait until the next <br />meeting in August to weigh in, but can use the 2005 letter. There is no need to take direct action right <br />now, but rather we can use the 2005 letter if the bill begins to get legs. <br /> <br />There being no other matters for discussion, the meeting adjourned. <br /> <br />F:\MINUTES\W A TRES-SD.wpd <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />10 <br />