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<br />Streamflow Information Program is a sound, well-conceived program that meets the nation's <br />needs for streamflow measurement, interpretation, and information delivery." <br /> <br />With record low snow packs in the Northwest, record high precipitation in the Southwest and <br />Northeast, continuing drought in many areas, and other areas experiencing devastating floods, <br />timely and accurate information for sound water resources management has never been more <br />important. <br /> <br />The President's FY2006 request of $63,770,000 for the Cooperative Water Program was not <br />sufficient to reverse the continuing decline in Program capability. This erosion offederal support <br />has led to the elimination, disrepair, or obsolescence of many long-term streamgages, reducing <br />our forecasting and emergency warning capabilities. In the past, the Cooperative Water Program, <br />a federallnon- federal streamgaging partnership, was funded by 50%-50% matching grants, but <br />now roughly two-thirds of the money comes from non-USGS sources. As the increasing cost of <br />salaries and overhead are absorbed by USGS and Cooperators, money needed to maintain <br />streamgages is diverted and hundreds of gages, including valuable long-term gages with more <br />than 30 years of record, have been lost. <br /> <br />For FY2007, we are asking that you request $74 million for the Cooperative Water Program in <br />order to restore real program purchasing power to its FY2003 level, taking into account <br />mandatory federal pay raises, rent increases and new intormation security requirements. This <br />amount is still well below the $138 million contributed by cooperators annually since FY2004, <br />and we urge you and the President to consider increasing your annual requests to match this <br />amount over the next few years. <br /> <br />Similarly, the NSIP is severely under funded and we are asking that you request $16.2 million for <br />FY2007 in order to restore real program purchasing power to its FY2003 level. Another $100 <br />million will be needed to reactivate and add streamgages, upgrade the system, and realize the full <br />vision of the NSIP. According to USGS data, the percentage of stream gages in the base network <br />now funded by USGS NSIP funds is 13%. A fully funded NSIP averts the loss of long-term <br />gages, which is critical for analysis of trends, floods, and water supply. Even though the total <br />number of streamgages remains high, the trend is to have fewer and fewer long-term gages that <br />fulfill the well-established NSIP priorities. <br /> <br />Together, we urge you and President Bush to give a higher priority to budgeting sufficient funds <br />for these vital programs by first restoring your request for appropriations to FY2003 real <br />spending levels in FY2007, and then increasing future spending requests until authorized levels <br />and matching monies are fully funded. If we can provide additional information, please contact <br />Peter Evans at the Interstate Council on Water Policy (703-622-6660). <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />;1 ~. j-;- <br /> <br />Hal Simpson, Chairman <br />Wes1ern Slates Water Council <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Pam Pogue, Chair <br />Association of Slate Floodplain Managers <br /> <br />~l'7t~.2~ <br /> <br />Joe Hoffman, Chairman <br />Intersta1e Council on WaIer Policy <br /> <br />N"---- 1.j-- <br /> <br />Norm Semanko, Presiden1 <br />National Wa1er Resources Association <br /> <br />~t <br />" <br />, <br />~ <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br />