Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Minutes October 20 2005

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SECWAE October 20, 2005 2 RECORD OF PROCEEDING FINANCIAL REPORT: Treasurer Simpson reported that the financial report for the month of September for the Enterprise was mailed to the Board. Treasurer Simpson moved for the approval of the financial report for September and payment of the October bills, seconded by Mr. Long. Motion unanimously carried. Mr. Reynolds reported the spreadsheet presented to the Board at the September Board meeting for the budget revision included a duplicate entry in the grand total column. It included the old and new budget numbers for the Restoration of Yield project. By keeping the totals in the budget, it leaves excess capacity in the budget line item for the Restoration of Yield project. President Stealey complimented Mrs. Fanning, Mr. Reynolds, and Mr. Broderick for the great job in preparing the Proposed 2006 Budget. LEGISLATIVE REPORT: Mr. Kogovsek reported that Mrs. Arbogast was unable to attend, but had submitted a written report that was in the Board binders for their review, reporting the following: PSOP No activities have taken place on the federal level as members of the delegation await new proposed language. Arkansas Valley Conduit There have been no additional activities in Congress related to the various conduit efforts. The WRDA bill remains on the calendar in the Senate but no schedule for consideration has been offered. The Senate is working to move its appropriations bills and deal with various hurricane- related bills as well as budget reconciliation. However, the offices continue to work on getting committee staff members to come to Colorado to discuss funding patterns and respond to questions that Conduit Committee members might have of them. In the Senate, the appropriations staff member who will come is currently tied up in conference committee negotiations with the House and will not be available until those discussions are completed. In the House, the staff members we hope to have visit are from the authorizing committee. We will keep you posted on efforts to bring those two gentlemen to Colorado. Interior /Agriculture Departments Sign Conservation MOU The Board was provided a copy of a news release regarding a five -year Memorandum of Understanding between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Bureau of Reclamation aimed at water conservation. This thumbnail sketch of the effort might bring about potential local /state /federal partnerships in areas such as the Arkansas Valley, and the District might wish to initiate some informal discussions among stakeholders regarding any potential value in pursuing participation. USDA Conservation Planning Pilot Program Constituencies within the District might be interested in a nine -state conservation planning pilot program recently announced by the USDA. The Board was provided a copy of the news release on the conservation effort. The sign -up period for Colorado runs through November 1. The program provides for planning and