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<br />(, <br /> <br />scope of the Clean Water Program, but was in fact "looking for a way to address water quality, . <br />but not through a permit system." <br /> <br />Congress George Radanovich, the Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee, was the <br />speaker during the opening luncheon, discussing some of his top priorities, including focusing <br />the committee on the oversight role ofthe Congress. <br /> <br />US Bureau ofReclamalion Commissioner, John Keys, also spoke about the continued drought in <br />the Northwest. He said Reclamation is going to continue to work with Congress to address <br />Western Water Needs, and noted the Administration's 100 percent increase in the Water 2025 <br />program. <br /> <br />Secretary Norton Praises President's Intention to Nominate Mark Linbaugh as Assistant <br />Secretary of the Interior: On May 10, Secretary ofthe Interior Gale Norton praised President <br />Bush's intention to nominate Mark A. Linbaugh to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for <br />Policy, Management and Budget. The announcement is subject to confirmation by the U.S. <br />Senate, once the official nomination is made by the President. <br /> <br />Linbaugh currently serves as Deputy Commissioner at the Bureau of Reclamation, a position her <br />has held since 2002. In this role, Limbaugh has helped to shape and promote Norton's Water <br />2025 initiative, as well as revise and implement agency policy to reflect the principles of <br />cooperation, consultation and communication. <br /> <br />Domenici Seeks Funds to Boost Oil Shale Production: With it seemingly unlikely that global <br />oil prices will soon drop significantly, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici indicated on April 7 that the <br />federal government should step up efforts to recover extensive oil shale reserves from federal <br />lands. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Domenici is requesting a $2.0 million appropriation to allow the Bureau of Land Management <br />(BLM) to establish an oil shale leasing program. Domenici has formally asked that the funding <br />be included in the FY2006 Interior Appropriations Bill that will be developed later this spring <br />and summer. Domenici serves on the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and is <br />chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. <br /> <br />American Farm Bureau Federation Backs Bill to Protect Water Quality, Surface Owners <br />from Oil/Gas Drilling: On May 5, with the backing of the American Farm Bureau Federation, <br />Congressman Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) re-introduced federal legislation to protect water <br />quality and surface owner rights from the impacts of oil and gas development. <br /> <br />Udall said that having the support of one of the nation's largest and most influential agricultural <br />organizations will give his legislation a boost in Congress. The Colorado Fann Bureau, the <br />Rocky Mountain Farmer's Union and the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers also have <br />. endorsed the legislation. <br /> <br />The Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection Act addresses three areas associated with oil <br />and gas development. First, it establishes clear requirements for proper disposal of water <br />extracted from oil and gas development and makes clear that these waters must comply with <br />discharge permits under the Clean Water Act. Second, the bill provides greater involvement of <br /> <br />10 <br />