Western States Water Council 2005 Report

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of a comprehensive salmon recovery strategy (All -H paper) were significant. While no one anticipated the events of this year, the collaborative process they created is helping improve river operations. They also recognize the need for outreach and stakeholder involvement in the decisionmaking process, but federal agencies must ultimately make the decisions. He added optimistically that HCPs are a vehicle to help solve ESA problems. Bill McDonald said Section 7 requires BOR take affirmative actions to protect species, not just avoid jeopardy. Sometimes, as in the Klamath Basin, federal projects are unfairly called upon to shoulder the entire burden. While the project holds senior water rights under state law, BOR could not make a call on junior users as Oregon has yet to adjudicate the water rights. He said,. "The failure of western states to have timely adjudicated water rights is part of the problem." There are issues of cost, risk and social equity. Who is going to pay? Who bears the risk of being shorted water? He went on to describe BOR's use of project reoperations, structural modifications, alternative water supplies, purchases from willing sellers and water conservation to try to meet conflicting demands for limited waters. WSWC/NARF Indian Water Rights Settlement Symposium On October 10 -12th, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and Western States Water Council held their 7th Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims at the Holiday Inn in St. George, Utah.14 John Echohawk, NARF Executive Director, welcomed those attending and spoke of the work of the Ad Hoc Group on Indian Water Rights Settlements. Its purpose is to resolve Indian water issues out of court. While progress slowed during a "gridlock period," under the Clinton Administration, Echohawk was encouraged that the new Administration had picked up the pace. He also expressed his hope for bipartisan support for legislation sponsored by Senator Pete Domenici (R -NM) and others (S. 1186), supported by the Ad Hoc Group, which would adjust the budget caps for the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), from which Indian water rights settlements have traditionally been funded, to facilitate appropriations to implement approved settlements. 15 Mike Brophy, WSWC Chairman, also welcomed "all you brave Americans," who traveled to the symposium during this time of uncertainty due to the events of September 1 Ith. He also shared his thoughts on the work of the Ad Hoc Group, reemphasizing that the group supports the notion that Indian water right settlements should be funded without the present constraints of the budget caps. He mentioned S. 1186 and encouraged attendees to contact their representatives and ask them to support the bill. Susan Cottingham, Program Manager, Montana State Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission, gave the keynote address. She empathized with the natural temptation to put life on hold due to the September 11th tragedies, but asserted that this is an important time to rededicate "Western States Water Council, Special Report, Issue #1432, October 26, 2001. "Western States Water Council, Issue 41421, August 10, 2001. F