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It „ <br />5 <br />The law is the law, and there are certain things we must do under the <br />Endangered Species Act. It needs to be understood, however, that we do have <br />additional flexibility under that law that was never dreamed of only 3 or <br />4 years ago. That flexibility resulted directly from our efforts within <br />the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with Congress, to improve <br />the Endangered Species Act during the 1981 reauthorization. If need be, <br />we can attempt further modifications in 1985. But we have a long way to__go. <br />And that's what I want to close with today. An important step will be taken <br />in March here in Denver. At that time three Regional Directors, two from <br />the Bureau of Reclamation and the one from the Fish and Wildlife. Service will <br />meet with officials of the three States, with the DNR Directors of Colorado <br />and Utah, and with the special representative of the Governor of Wyoming. <br />This meeting will be a special executive session among those officials <br />required to be involved in this process. Their task will be to explore all <br />feasible, viable administrative solutions. Their effort must be exhaustive. <br />I'm certain it will be exhausting. <br />Out of these efforts will come a timetable and a framework. They will <br />schedule meetings with various involved parties. It will be formal contact, <br />following a prescribed timetable. These will not be public meetings or <br />hearings in the usual sense. Rather, they will be special input sessions,. <br />if you will. All involved groups will be contacted in turn: water-users <br />and recreationists, agriculturists, and conservationists. <br />They are seeking responsible alternatives and common ground for solutions <br />to the problems that confront the Basin. For our part, we have developed <br />and intend to maintain a close and cooperative relationship with the Bureau <br />of Reclamation. It's in everyone's best interest. It only makes sense. <br />In closing, I offer you this final guideline and reminder: We are committed <br />to finding an effective and fair administrative solution to the current <br />situation. I am confident that working together we can find the solution <br />that best serves the UCRB, its people, and its resources now and for the <br />future.