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ago, was going to be taken away. The $4.2 million remains in a <br /> • fund established by the General Assembly for use by the Attorney <br /> General to contest the federal government and various Indian <br /> tribes with reference to the reserved rights claims. Mr. Woodard <br /> stressed that these reserved rights issues are far from over and <br /> that adequate funds will be required for some time. The General <br /> Assembly, through its leadership, has assured Mr. Woodard and the <br /> Governor' s office that adequate funding will be provided on a <br /> year-to-year basis to continue action in contesting the federal <br /> government in the reserved rights claims matters. <br /> Last year, when the General Assembly was considering the <br /> negative supplement legislation, the $4.2 million was removed from <br /> the reserved rights litigation fund. This proposal was approved <br /> by the General Assembly but subsequently vetoed by the Governor. <br /> The veto was sustained at that time. Mr. Woodard expressed doubt <br /> that a second veto could be sustained in the current session of <br /> the Legislature. <br /> Mr. Woodard indicated that he had written to the General <br /> Assembly stressing the need for continuous funding and cited <br /> several cases now under way which, if the federal positions pre- <br /> vailed, would be very detrimental to state water users. In reply <br /> to these letters, the legislative leadership has assured Mr. <br /> Woodard that annual appropriations would be forthcoming to contest <br /> cases now in litigation and to continue the program. <br /> • Following Board discussion, Mr. Jackson moved, seconded <br /> by Mr. Kroeger, that Mr. McDonald send a letter to the legislative <br /> leadership stressing that the reserved rights program now under <br /> way is of great importance, that continuous funding should be <br /> provided, and that, unless this program is continued without <br /> interruptions, state water users could suffer severe losses. The <br /> motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. <br /> Agenda Item 7 - Development Authority's Report <br /> No report. <br /> Agenda Item 8 - State Legislation <br /> a. H.B. 1128 (project authorizations, amendments to <br /> construction fund statutes, etc. ) <br /> Mr. McDonald discussed the amendments to H.B. 1128, the <br /> annual projects authorization bill, which were approved by the <br /> House Agriculture Committee. The bill as amended was passed by <br /> the committee and;.o.n the day o.f ;thins :special bieeti.nc was awaiting <br /> second reading. No Board action was taken (Appendix B attached) . <br /> b. H.B. 13'83 (creation of a Colorado Water Resources <br /> Development Fund) <br /> -5- <br />