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monitoring we might do and the geographic distribution of sites where the <br />monitoring is done. As a federal science agency, we believe the USGS must <br />strike an appropriate balance in the Coop Program between meeting needs <br />that might be characterized as representing largely a local perspective <br />versus those that might represent a broader -based or "federal" perspective. <br />A proposed plan and ranking scheme for implementation of gaging- station <br />prioritization for FY05 is included in this mailing as Attachment 3. <br />Earlier versions of this material have been shared previously with our <br />Cooperators. This current version will be presented in some detail at the <br />meetings. <br />our thinking about water - quality prioritization still is very much in the <br />formative stage and we look forward to discussing these initial ideas with <br />you in June. Attachment 4 presents a concept for an idealized statewide <br />stream water - quality network that would provide information to describe <br />spatial and temporal variations in water - quality conditions at key <br />locations in all major river basins throughout Colorado. The idealized <br />network would enable the ongoing water - quality characterization of a major <br />part of the streamflow of the state and it would provide information <br />essential to developing understanding of the causative factors for the <br />quality of the State's surface waters. The idealized water - quality network <br />concept is linked to the streamgage prioritization plan in that any active <br />streamgage at a site that is also an active site in the idealized <br />water - quality network would receive a full 3 points for Goal 5 of the <br />ranking scheme for streamgages. We encourage you to carefully read <br />attachments 3 and 4 so that you are prepared to discuss the prioritization <br />issues with us at the June meetings. <br />Also during the June meetings, the USGS will present information about <br />likely data - collection costs for FY05. As of this date, neither chamber of <br />Congress has done its initial markup of the President's proposed budget for <br />the USGS. With all the issues currently demanding the attention of <br />Congress, the markups of the Interior Department bill (including the USGS) <br />may occur much later than normal (June - July). So far, we know that the <br />President's budget called for a 1.1 percent reduction in the National <br />Streamflow Information Program (NSIP) and a 1.5 percent reduction in the <br />Cooperative Program. The NSIP currently (FY04) provides full Federal <br />funding for the USGS's operation of 34 streamgages in Colorado. Also in <br />FY04, NSIP funds are used to offset $450 of the total cost of operation of <br />180 streamgages funded by Cooperators and the USGS through the Coop <br />Program. The Coop Program also funds 150 water - quality monitoring sites <br />operated by the USGS in Colorado. Reductions to FY05 appropriations for <br />either the NSIP or Coop Program line items will have adverse ramifications <br />on our station costs. We will provide you the best insight we can at the <br />time of the June meetings on FY05 station costs. <br />We look forward to seeing you in June. <br />Sincerely, <br />William F. Horak <br />Colorado District Chief <br />(See attached file: Att 1 - Agenda.doc) (See attached file: Att 2 - <br />Distribution.doc) (See attached file: Attach 3 -SW Prioritization <br />Plan.doc) (See attached file: Attach 4 - Idealized QW Network.doc) <br />3 <br />