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., " programs, Mr. Myers has been with the Forest Service since 1979, and holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in forest science. . Earth Day 2005: On April 22, the USDA and Forest Service celebrated Earth Day in Colorado by visiting the site ofthe largest wildlife ever recorded in Colorado history, and announcing cutting-edge research findings on cost-effective fire rehabilitation treatments, which will help forest managers to better deal with post-fire recovery efforts nationwide. They joined state officials and conservation organizations in reducing erosion and protecting a threatened species on the popular Gill Trail on the Pick & San Isabel National Forest, where the 2002 Hayman Fire had devastated the trail. National Drought Council Legislation Introduced: On April 15, U.S. Senator Pete Domemici introduced legislation to establish a National Drought Council within the Department of Agriculture to create a national drought policy that would improve drought preparedness, mitigation and response efforts. The legislation was introduced to head off the devastating consequences of drought with comprehensive policy and planning. The legislation would also encourage the development of a cohesive strategy for national drought policy where none has existed previously. The bill also allows for improvements in forecasting and monitoring drought conditions, public education in water conservation and proper land stewardship, and FEMA reimbursements for reasonable staging and pre-positions costs when there is a threat of a wildfIre. 21st Century Water Commission Act: The House approved passage of the 21st Century Water Commission Act (H.R. 135) on April 12, and the bill moves forward to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for action. The Western States Water Council supports the bill, . which would establish a Commission charged to: (1) project future water supply and demand; (2 study current federal, interstate, state, and local water management programs and private sector activities directed at increasing water supplies and improving the availability, reliability, and quality of freshwater resources; (3) consult with public and private agencies and entities to develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy; (4) identify incentives intended to ensure an adequate and dependable supply to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years; (5) suggest strategies that avoid increased mandates on State and local governments, considering all available technologies; and (6) suggest financing options. Drought/Water Supply Outlook: According to Barry Kintzer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, winter stonn systems continue to add snow in the Sierras of California, central Nevada, most of Utah, southern Colorado, northern New Mexico and part of western Montana. Many snowpacks in the Southwest are near record highs, while dozens of snowpacks in the PacifIc Northwest report record lows, and projected streamflows mirror these conditions. The record Southwest snowpacks and precipitation will result in well above nonnal springs and summer streamflows, with many basins expecting 110- 180 percent of average. As of April 1 , reservoir storages for all western states except Washington, Arizona and California were below historic averages. Arizona reservoirs are filling in response to sustained high streamflows from winterstonns. Many small and medium Southwest reservoirs should fill this year. However, it will be some time before the major western reservoir systems refill. Senate Water Conference: Senator Pete Domenici, Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, led a Water Conference discussion on April 5, where a broad array of water related challenges were addressed. Rod Kuharich attended as the representative of the 6 .