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One program (FMA) has a specific state allocated amount for use within the state at the State's discretion, while the remaining two (PDM and RFC) are nationally competitive grants in which all states compete for a share of a national pot of money. The HMGP program is only available to fund applications following a presidentially declared natural disaster. (Kevin Houck) GLEN CANYON ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM & LAKE POWELL OPERATIONS: The Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Workgroup (AMWG) met on September 9- 10, 2008 in Flagstaff, AZ. The AMWG received updates on the preliminary observations from the 2008 High Flow Experiment, status reports on research efforts conducted by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, biological opinion conservation measures, a status report on Humpback Chub recovery Implementation Plan and translocation efforts, hydropower economics, and a brief status report on the ongoing Grand Canyon Trust litigation. The AMWG was asked to adopt the FY09 Adaptive Management Program (AMP) budget and recommend its adoption to the Secretary of Interior. It is also anticipated that the AMWG will make recommendations tothe Secretary of Interior concerning the AMP Strategic Plan and Desired Future Conditions for certain resources in the Grand Canyon. (Randy Seaholm) SAFE DRINKING WATERIWASTEWATER/INFRASTRUCTURE: On August 15, Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced $547M in loans and grants for safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment facilities for rural towns. Mr. Schafer said, "A majority of these half billion dollars for investment in rural water systems is the result of USDA moving the 2008 farm bill funding out to communities in a timely manner. Maintaining quality of rural life with safe and reliable water systems is vital to the health of the surrounding agricultural community." The awards help finance 232 rural water projects in 46 states through USDA's Rural Development -Water and Environmental Program. The Rural Development Program's mission is "...to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents." The grants and loans will fund drinking and wastewater projects in 58 western communities, including projects in: Arizona ($SM); California ($9.1M); Colorado ($4.8M); Idaho ($17.1M); Kansas ($18.4M); Montana ($1.7M); North Dakota ($4.9M); Nebraska ($13.1 M); New Mexico ($692,974); Oklahoma ($6.2M); Oregon ($3.SM); South Dakota ($7.2M); Texas ($27.9M); Utah ($4.1M); and Washington ($9.9M). Funding for projects in the West totals approximately $134M. On a national basis, the 2008 Farm Bill provides $356M for water and wastewater projects, while another $191M was added as part of the normal 2008 state allocation funding process. For a complete listing of the USDA Rural Development loans and grants, visit httpa/www.rurdev.usda.gov. (Source: Western States Water Council News Release, Issue No. 1789, August 29, 2008 BUREAU OF RECLAMATIONIWATER 2025: On August 13, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced $4.SM in new Water 2025 Challenge grants for water conservation projects in the West. "These grants will help quench the West's thirst for water in eight states by providing funds to fifteen projects that will improve the efficient use of existing water supplies. The variety of projects includes water conservation, efficiency and water market projects and demonstrates the importance of this Bureau of Reclamation program in looking toward future water needs." The total investment exceeds $31.8 M when non-federal matching contributions are added. Five water districts in California received grants: Fresno Irrigation District - $300,000 to upgrade an existing diversion structure to improved management of the Enterprise Canal (total cost $ l .1M); Irvine Ranch Water District - $300,000 to develop the Strand Ranch ground water banking facilities to help during dry years ($15M); James Irrigation District - $300,000 to expand an existing storage and recharge i~~` 6 aw~ ~. ~~