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<br />finding ways for the state to reduce the risks, I counted on our website, which I believe is
<br />provided through DOLA, a list of all fire bans, thank them, by the way, for all that the Office of
<br />Emergency Management has done, they are the ultimate coordinators here, and we're very thrilled
<br />just to have so much experience there, but specifically, when it comes to those fire bans, we feel
<br />fairly confident that the counties are responding as heavily as needed, and so the Govemor is still
<br />keeping his options open, with the Office of Legal Council is fully evaluated his capacity in time
<br />of drought and fire crisis as we have right now, but he's holding those, and watching those
<br />counties respond, and it seems like every day we've got a new restriction out there that is , in our
<br />mind, proactive, That's all I've got.
<br />
<br />- At our last meeting, you mentioned that there's a bill moving through Congress, and I
<br />understand that there's something out in writing on it, could you tell us the status? And if
<br />possible, what federal agency heads it up?
<br />
<br />Matt - I believe that Senator Tomichi did, about three weeks ago, introduce his bill on drought
<br />preparedness, It's something that's actually modeled and in many ways very similar to what
<br />Colorado is already doing in terms of preparing drought plans, I believe that that vehicle will
<br />probably be through the Bureau of Reclamation, but I'll get back to you on that, but and what
<br />might be specifically beneficial would be for me at our next meeting, which I assume will
<br />probably be within the next month, to bring you a summary ofthat bill, and the Western
<br />Governors will be discussing that at the annual conference on June 22, Theirs is a resolution
<br />that's being drafted, in support of the drought bill, also Sen, Allard in our Congressional
<br />Delegation will be very much involved wit Senator Dominici's bill, but I anticipate it will go
<br />through swimmingly, It's a bill that I think is fairly respectful to state water rights, we're always
<br />cautious of that, so there's some more evaluation that our guys at Department of Natural Resources
<br />and Department of Public Health and Welfare are looking at, but were very glad that its
<br />introducing., ,(inaudible),
<br />
<br />Brad - thanks Matt, Again, I'd like to kind of echo Matt's remarks to the Impact Task Forces, on
<br />getting their reconnendations forwarded in the time that we had, I was very impressed with the
<br />professionalism, I started getting information within the next day from folks, and again, I really
<br />appreciate it. I feel we weren't doing it just because its our job and we were told to do it, but
<br />because we're Coloradans and we saw the big picture, Again, I really appreciate everyone's help
<br />on that, I think Rich Homann just came into the room, and we don't want to make you wait here
<br />any longer, we know you're busy, but we do appreciate you coming to give us an update on some
<br />of the things going on out there, Rich?
<br />
<br />Rich - Thank you, I think everyone can see me from here, I appreciate being able to come down
<br />here, since actually it's a little vacation for me to come down and speak to you today, Its been real
<br />hectic, an active fire season so far, as most of you have seen in the paper, I have a handout, I
<br />underestimated how many people would be here, so you're going to have to fight over it, but don't
<br />worry if you don't get one because the statistics will change tomorrow, Just a very brief update,
<br />Drought and fire have over the past 3 or 4 months, gotten a lot of media attention, They are
<br />related, directly related, but the influence of drought on fire as I have said many times before is
<br />somewhat nebulous, Drought effects a lot of fires mostly in the down and dead fuel moisture
<br />recovery, and in the live fuel moisture in the forest. Right now, our dead and down woody
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