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2005 ANNUAL REPORT <br />OF THE <br />WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL <br />INTRODUCTION <br />The first official meeting of the Western States Water Council was held on the south shore <br />of Lake Tahoe, at Stateline, Nevada on August 3, 1965. The Western Governors' Conference <br />approved the creation of the Western States Water Council during meetings in Portland, Oregon on <br />June 10 -13, 1965. The Governors' resolution explicitly stated: "The future growth and prosperity <br />of the western states depend upon the availability of adequate quantities of water of suitable quality." <br />Further, the governors felt that a fair appraisal of future water needs, and the most equitable means <br />of meeting such needs, demanded a regional effort. Water availability and interbasin transfers of <br />water were important issues. Western states found themselves in an era of rapid federal water <br />resources development, and regional or basinwide planning, without a sufficient voice in the use of <br />their water resources. The Western States Water Council has since provided a unified voice on <br />behalf of western governors on water policy issues. <br />The emphasis and focus of the Western States Water Council has changed over the years as <br />different water policy problems have evolved. However, the commitment towards reaching a <br />regional consensus on issues of mutual concern has continued. The Council has proven to be a <br />dynamic, flexible institution providing a forum for the free discussion and consideration of many <br />water policies that are vital to the future welfare of the West. As envisioned by the Western <br />Governors' Conference, it has succeeded as a continuing body, serving the governors in an expert <br />advisory capacity. Over the years, the Western States Water Council has sought to develop a <br />regional consensus on westwide water policy and planning issues, particularly federal initiatives. <br />The Council strives to protect western states' interests in water, while at the same time serving to <br />coordinate and facilitate efforts to improve western water management. <br />Council membership and associate membership status is determined based on a request from <br />the governor. Originally, Council membership consisted of eleven western states: ARIZONA, <br />CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, IDAHO, MONTANA, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, OREGON, <br />UTAH, WASHINGTON and WYOMING. In 1978, TEXAS was admitted to membership, after <br />many years of participation in Council activities in an "observer" status. ALASKA requested and <br />received membership in 1984. NORTH DAKOTA and SOUTH DAKOTA both received <br />membership in 1988 after a long association with the Council. HAWAII was a member from 1991- <br />1999. In 1999, OKLAHOMA requested and received membership. In 2000, both KANSAS and <br />NEBRASKA joined the Council at the request of their respective governors. Council membership <br />is automatically open to all member states of the Western Governors' Association. Other states may <br />be admitted by a unanimous vote of the member states. <br />Associate membership has also been granted states exploring the benefits of membership, <br />experiencing financial hardship, or otherwise temporarily unable to maintain full membership. <br />im <br />