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With respect to the period of reauthorization, the <br /> Administration has supported the four year provision in the House <br /> bill. Environmental groups are supporting a four or five year <br /> reauthorization. Water interests have uniformly sought a two <br /> year reauthorization. <br /> As for substantive amendments to the Act, the <br /> Administration, environmental groups, and the two subcommittee <br /> chairmen (Congressman Breaux from Louisiana and Senator Chafee <br /> from Rhode Island) have all taken the position that such <br /> amendments are not needed at this time. Water interests have not <br /> yet asked for any amendments, but Senator Wallop has indicated <br /> that he would entertain this possibility if a sufficiently short <br /> reauthorization period is not forthcoming. Senators concerned <br /> about grizzly bear issues in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana appear <br /> to be interested in seeking amendments to the Act. <br /> With respect to the Windy Gap approach to section 7 <br /> consultations, the Fish and Wildlife Service stated at the Senate <br /> hearings that it expected to phase out this approach as the <br /> results of the on-going administrative process were implemented. <br /> The Service also stated that it would, in the interim, request <br /> any proponents of significant new depletions to voluntarily hold <br /> the section 7 process in abeyance pending the completion of the <br /> current efforts so that the Windy Gap approach would not have to <br /> be employed in these situations. Under questioning from Senator <br /> Chafee, Greg Hobbs, on behalf of the Colorado Water Congress , and <br /> I both indicated that we would expect the Windy Gap approach to <br /> be phased out only if adequate alternatives were agreed upon in <br /> the on-going efforts on the Upper Colorado and Platte Rivers. <br /> Recommendations <br /> I recommend that the Board: <br /> ( 1) for the record, affirm the written statement submitted <br /> for the House and Senate hearings , and <br /> (2) direct me to actively follow this legislation and to <br /> take such steps as I deem necessary, in my discretion, <br /> to obtain the most favorable legislation and committee <br /> reports possible for Colorado ' s water users. <br /> JWM/gl <br /> Attachment: as stated <br /> cc: Jim Ruch <br /> Tom Pitts <br /> Greg Hobbs <br /> • <br /> MEMORANDUM -3- April 24, 1985 <br />