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<br />.\ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Experts from across the country were invited to <br />submit written proposals for presentation on water supply/resource management and <br />coordination, the future of the Bureau of Reclamation, Indian and Federal reserved water rights, <br />and our water knowledge/conservation/technological developments. <br /> <br />Pat Tyrell, the Wyoming State Engineer, presented the Western States Water Council's thoughts <br />on the future of the Bureau of Reclamation, including the statement that the Bureau's role <br />continues to evolve from being a large builder to being a water and power purveyor and <br />manager, and that rehabilitation of existing proj ects, as well as necessary maintenance, and dam <br />safety related work, must be a top priority. Water conservation efforts will also continue to be <br />essential. However, the development of new supplies is essential using both storage and more <br />innovative approaches such as water reuse, ground water recharge, desalination, etc.) To fund <br />this work, Pat suggested that the Congress consider increasing appropriations for Bureau of <br />Reclamation projects and programs using the unobligated balance in the Reclamation Fund. <br /> <br />Craig Bell, WSWC Executive Director, represented the Council's recommendations regarding <br />Indian and Federal reserved water rights, and said that the settlement of Native American water <br />claims is one of the most important aspects of the United States' trust obligation, and <br />. commended the Congress for its support of negotiated settlements. <br /> <br />A separate discussion on drought is planned for the future. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Hagel Cosponsors National Drought Preparedness Act Re-Introduction: On April 14, U.S. <br />Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) joined Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) in re-introducing legislation <br />that would establish a long-term, cohesive strategy for addressing droughts. The legislation <br />would help state and federal agencies prepare and coordinate a national drought plan. Hagel was <br />an original cosponsor ofthis legislation in the 107th and 108th Congresses. <br /> <br />The National Drought Preparedness-Act would: <br />. Create a 14-member National Drought Council; <br />. Establish a national drought office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide <br />assistance to the council; <br />. Coordinate drought preparedness activities for federal, state, and local govemments and <br />tribes; <br />. Develop a national drought policy action plan; and <br />. Authorize a drought assistance fund to help state and local governments implement <br />drought preparedIiess plans. <br />Under this legislation, the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln would have an <br />expanded role in monitoring and analyzing drought data. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />National Drought Preparedness Act of2005 Co-sponsored: - Idaho Senator Larry Craig <br />joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues today in cosponsoring S.802, the National Drought <br />Preparedness Act of 2005. The legislation would create a national policy for drought, improve <br />delivery of federal drought programs, create new tools for drought preparedness plarming, and <br />. improve forecasting and monitoring of drought conditions. <br /> <br />The bill intends to accomplish the following objectives: <br /> <br />7 <br />