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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Western States Water Council <br />Full Council Minutes <br /> <br />Sioux Falls, South Dakota <br />May 4, 2007 <br /> <br />Reclamation's dams are over 50 years old. Reclamation's budget isn't getting any bigger, but they have been <br />looking at how to help without a cash outlay. Title II loan guarantees are one answer. Bob credited John <br />Keys and Mark Limbaugh for their work on the legislation. <br /> <br />There are many rural water supply needs westwide. Title I of the rural water program allows <br />Reclamation to do studies and assessments. Title II makes the loan guarantees available to rural communities <br />and water districts. Reclamation hopes to partnership with rural areas and states and provide planning <br />assistance. However, they are faced with a flat budget. "I don't know about future rural water supply project <br />funding. There are lots of other needs outside the Great Plains." <br /> <br />Bob described climate change as "a tough issue." The drought and changing hydrologic conditions <br />are difficult issues. Reclamation is trying to figure out what management tools they can use to help address <br />climate change. There is not a lot of basin specific information on climate change for project operations. <br />Broad models show the Southwest getting drier. Lynn Scarlett will head an Interior wide task group on <br />climate change. How do federal agencies need to be reacting to climate change? What should they be doing <br />to manage the resources? <br /> <br />Regarding Reclamation research efforts, he noted they are focusing on desalination research to help <br />reduce costs. They are not looking to get into the desalting business. Reclamation does have a large <br />desalination plant in Yuma, Arizona and has done a 10% of capacity operations run for 90 days recently. <br />Reclamation is putting money into both brackish and ocean desalting. <br /> <br />\ <br />:-i <br />l -~ } <br /> <br />"It is a challenge to get on top of everything that is going on in Reclamation." We are working to <br />ensure Reclamation is being an effective partner. "I am looking forward to working with you all." <br /> <br />Ouestions and Answers <br /> <br />Duane Smith: Could you expand on Technical Assistance To States (TATS)? <br /> <br />Bob: I tell you what, the most difficult thing I've had to deal with is the budget. We could double <br />the Reclamation budget and not come close to meeting the needs that are out there. I think a flat budget is <br />the best we can look forward to. Our budget request last year was $951 million. Historically, we had a much <br />larger construction budget, but its been declining. President's FY 2008 request didn't include TATS. I will <br />go back and look at our 2025 program and our ability to use it to work with states. I'm committed to help <br />where we can. <br /> <br />John Tubbs: Can you talk about support for stream gaging and Landsat thermal imaging issues of <br />long-term data? <br /> <br />Bob: We think they are both important. Mark Limbaugh is also very supportive of those programs. <br />Mainly those are USGS issues, and historically USGS has been receiving less money. I'm sure they come <br />to you all, as well as to us at Reclamation and seek additional funds for their streamgaging program. <br />Reclamation has stepped in to fund more stream gages. We are also interested in Landsat technology, and <br />have used it some on the Colorado River to do water accounting, for monitoring vegetative and consumptive <br />uses. <br /> <br />9 <br />