1998 Work Plan of the Western States Water Council

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conveyances by participating in WGA task force efforts and by seeking additional al support for "arid area" provisions. work days: 3 Time fume: January - August TRIBAL WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT UNDER § 518 Work t date: An area of growing concern to several western states is tribal water quality manage ent authorized under Section 518 of the CWA. The existing provision allows the EPA to deleg to primacy for several CWA programs to qualifying tribes. The incipient problem of inconsi ent water quality management between tribes and states has been the subject of some efforts to reach a consensus with Indian tribal representatives. Section 510 of H.R. 961 would have in rporated certain changes in Section 518, by providing for the promulgation of regulations to resolve disputes resulting from differing water quality standards set by states and tribes. ome feel that Tribal water quality management could prove to be a topic of serious concern for the Council to consider. Some presenters at the October 1997 Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims expressed an interest in holding a conference on soly' ig conflicts arising from tribal enforcement of CWA provisions such as Albuquerque has experienced. It was suggested that the Council could act as host of this proposed conference. 1998: a Committee will follow the progress of the Albuquerque/Isleta Pueblo case which has been ap ealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and report on any new developments. Further, the Commi ee will explore the desirability of fostering a dialogue with EPA, the Tribes and other interest regarding a process to help avoid conflicts. If determined to be appropriate, the Commi ee will take the lead role on behalf of the Council to organize such a conference. Time work days: Reporting - 1 Conference - 9 Reporting - ongoing Conference - September - December 2