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<br />. <br /> <br />three states at which Colorado's continuing concerns <br />with some aspects of the proposed plan of action were <br />expressed. <br /> <br />The plan of action has again been redrafted in an <br />effort to resolve various issues raised by the parties <br />attending the September 28 meeting. This new redraft <br />is attached. <br /> <br />Unfortunately. the staff has not had time to prepare a <br />summary and an analysis of it since it arrived during <br />the holidays. The Board should discuss this redraft as <br />the Bureau and the Service will be seeking the State's <br />view. The staff will prepare a written analysis which <br />will be summarized for the Board at its next meeting. <br /> <br />c. <br /> <br />Potential Amendments Endangered Species Act. The <br />Endangered Species Act is up for reauthorization in <br />congress this year. It has been suggested that it <br />would be an opportune time to seek amendments to the <br />act to bring into balance the purposes of the act with <br />the benefits of water resource development and <br />management. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />While Mr. McDonald is firmly of the opinion that it <br />would be politically impossible to gain amendments to <br />the ESA which effectively exempt water development from <br />the act's scrutiny, he believes more moderate <br />legislative actions may be achievable; and while he <br />feels that the state's most promising vehicle for <br />relief is through the administrative efforts now under <br />way. he believes that every possible avenue for a <br />solution to the problems faced should be explored. <br /> <br />Mr. McDonald recommended that the Board direct the <br />staff to prepare alternative approaches to amending the <br />Act in order to alleviate to the extent possible the <br />unreasonable burdens now imposed by the act on water <br />development. The staff should also solicit input on <br />this matter from the Colorado Water Congress special <br />project on endangered species and from other interested <br />parties. Such potential legislation should be <br />discussed and acted upon at the March Meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Vandemoer moved, seconded by Mr. Smith. that the <br />Board approve Mr. McDonald's recommendation calling for <br />the staff to proceed to develop possible legislative <br />amendments. Motion adopted unanimously. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />FOllowing conclusion of discussion of Item 16 (Endangered <br />Species Issues), Mr. McDonald recommended that Item 17 <br />(Arkansas River Compact Issues), Item 18 (Liability of Board <br />Arising from Floodplain Designations). and litigation against <br /> <br />-13- <br />