Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Minutes October 20 2005

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�s I SECWAE October 20, 2005 3 RECORD OF PROCEEDING technical assistance on private land aimed at water conservation, and will be run by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Interested landowners should contact them at their Web site. Domenici Bill on Energy /Water Conservation Research Senator Domenici has introduced the Energy -Water Efficiency Technology Research, Development and Transfer Program Act of 2005, as an amendment to the recently passed energy bill. A copy of his introductory remarks and the bill were provided to the Board. Senator Domenici's purpose in introducing this measure stems from his conclusion that water shortages impair our ability to meet energy needs and energy shortages impair our ability to provide necessary water supplies. Rural Water Supply Act Senator Domenici's bill (5895) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a rural water supply program in the Reclamation states to provide a clean, safe, affordable, and reliable water supply to rural residents was reported out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on September 28. It is awaiting action on the Senate floor, and no House companion bill has been introduced to date. Udall Weather Modification Bill In June, Congressman Udall introduced H.R. 2995, the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Authorization Act, establishing a federal research and development effort to improve our understanding of weather modification technologies and their impacts. He is currently soliciting cosponsorship from his Colorado colleagues. The bill has the support of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The Board was provided a copy of H.R. 2995. The Board may wish to provide feedback to Congressman Udall and also to share your views on it with Congressman Salazar and Congresswoman Musgrave. S 517 is the companion Senate bill, and it has no cosponsors to date. No hearings have been held to date. PREFERRED STORAGE OPTIONS PLAN (PSOP) REPORT: Chairman of the PSOP Committee Harold Miskel reported the PSOP Committee met September 28 and was updated on the legislative matters and meetings President Stealey has had with the congressional delegation and PSOP participants. The PSOP legislation has not moved forward at the request of the PSOP participants, so that the remaining issues can be negotiated. Mr. Miskel said there are three issues that remain: 1. Objection of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District (LAVWCD) 2. Water Quality 3. Proposed changes to legislation Mr. Miskel reported that the November 2, PSOP meeting is being cancelled and will be rescheduled. Notification of the PSOP meeting date will be mailed when scheduled. Mr. Miskel asked Lee Miller to report on meetings with the LAVWCD. Mr. Miller reported he has continued to meet with attorneys for the LAVWCD, Board of Water Works of Pueblo (BWWP), Colorado Springs, and Aurora to discuss reaching an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to address the LAVWCD's opposition to the PSOP legislation. The attorney's drafting group met on September 21, 27, and October 19 to work further on a draft IGA. The full committee is scheduled to meet on October 25.