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<br />Western States Water Council <br />Full Council Minutes <br /> <br />Sioux Falls, South Dakota <br />May 4, 2007 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />REPORT FROM THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION <br /> <br />Bob Johnson, Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, reported that he had met with Duane, <br />Craig and Jim Davenport in Las Vegas, Nevada and agreed to participate with WSWC in implementing the <br />Governors' water report. <br /> <br />Next, he said he wanted to tell the group a little bit about himself. He grew up in Lovelock, Nevada <br />on a farm about 3 miles from Roland Westergard's family farm. "Reclamation projects are in my blood and <br />my genes. I'm also an economist, not an engineer." <br /> <br />There are a lot of things going on in Reclamation. I've spent most of my career working on the <br />Colorado River. I have enjoyed working with the states there on some very complex issues. The water <br />resources community is close knit, and personal relationships are important, despite conflicts over water. <br />This group helps facilitate those types of relationships. <br /> <br />This is my first time in South Dakota. I've been visiting some of our rural water projects. The Pick <br />Sloan plan envisioned irrigation that never materialized. Rural water projects are an alternative, bringing <br />water from Missouri River to people. In terms of river management, Reclamation finds itself in similar a <br />situation as the Corps on the Missouri River. We're trying to develop consensus-based, locally-based <br />processes. <br /> <br />More and more Reclamation river management plans are developing in western basins. A lot of . <br />progress has been made on delivering water and power and complying with ESA. There is the Colorado <br />River management program, three recovery plans, the San Joaquin Restoration bill, the Sacramento, Trinity, <br />Middle Rio Grande and Platte agreements with pending legislation. There is over $150 million/year needed <br />to implement these plans. <br /> <br />Some see Reclamation shifting to an environmental agency, but I see it as a way to comply with the <br />law and still delivery water and power. The Lower Colorado Multispecies Plan has a 35-member steering <br />committee. It is working pretty well with 50-50% Reclamation/state funding. <br /> <br />The Columbia River Basin is really tough. A judge ordered a new biological opinion. We could <br />spend $650M total on the Lower Colorado ESA agreement, and that much a year in the Columbia Basin. <br /> <br />Managing for Excellence (MFE) is our top priority. It's all about how we do our work. A National <br />Academy of Science (NAS) review made recommendations to management as to how to be more efficient <br />and transparent. We have 41 teams interacting with customers. We are making significant changes. Right- <br />sizing is the most difficult. How do we best preserve our technical abilities? Bob said, "I can promise you <br />that on my watch we are not going to lose the technical expertise to carry out our mission." They are looking <br />at succession planning, maintain employee morale and commitment. The next MFE meeting is the end of <br />May in Denver. There will be a couple more MFE meetings held, in addition to the 3-4 this past year. <br /> <br />Regarding Water 2025, we appreciate your support. Reclamation has put $16 million towards <br />leveraging $67 million in non-federal spending. They also made money available for states to participate in <br />2025 water planning and conservation activities. They are looking to make more money available. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Bob discussed the new loan guarantee authority authorized last year with the passage of S. 895, the <br />Rural Water Supply Act. This will allow water districts to do necessary repair work. Over half <br /> <br />8 <br />