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<br />'I <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />i <br /> <br />river downstream from Friant Dam in central California has been agreed to in principle. <br />Attorneys for the Friant Water Users Authority (a member ofthe Family Farm Alliance), Natural <br />Resources Defense Council and the federal government told the U.S. District Court in a status <br />report filing that they have reached agreement on stipulation of settlement and that the accord is <br />ready to be circulated to all of the case's parties with a recommendation for approval. The <br />agreement, once finalized by the court, will launch one of the nation's most ambitious and <br />expensive river and fishery restoration projects. Details of the settlement will remain confidential <br />until the agreement is ratified by clients in July and formally signed and accepted by Judge <br />Karlton. <br /> <br />Think Tank Finds Desalinization Still A Costly Option: After a year-long analysis of <br />desalination efforts in California, the Oakland-based Pacific Institute issued a report in early July <br />stating that the economic, environmental and social costs of desalination still outweigh its <br />technological gains and suggesting that most of the state's 21 desalination proposals are <br />premature. According to the report, "Desalination, With a Grain of Salt", recent gains in <br />desalination efficiency are being offset by rising interest rates and increases in energy and <br />construction costs. The report is available online at www.Dacinst.orwreoortsldesalination. <br /> <br />Water Bond Measnre for $5.4 Billion to go on California's November Ballot: A new bond <br />measure has joined a crowded California November ballot, this one asking voters to approve <br />spending $5.4 billion on water, parks and coastal protection. The measure sets aside funding for <br />local projects, state parks and water supplies out ofthe Colorado River. The initiative hopes to <br />provide the funding California needs without raising taxes. <br /> <br />Major funding categories within the initiative include: $1.28 billion for water supply and water <br />quality programs, $928 million for river and lake protection, $800 million for flood protection, <br />$540 million for beaches and bays, $450 million for wildlife and forest conservation, and $400 <br />million for parks. <br /> <br />Western Governors' Association Meets, Approves Report: The Western Governors' <br />Association (WGA) held its annual meeting in Sedona, Arizona on June II-B. The meeting <br />featured three sessions entitled: "Clean Energy, A Strong Economy, and Healthy Environment;" <br />"Growth and Conservation Strategies for the West;" and "Pandemic Flu: Prepared or Panicked?" <br /> <br />The Governors also released a report, "Collaborative Conservation Strategies: Legislative Case <br />Studies from Across the West." The report examined results and lessons learned from a number <br />of efforts to address growth and development while protecting wilderness. <br /> <br />Interior Secretary Kempthome said as a former governor, he recognizes success in Washington <br />depends on working with governors and finding common ground. He said he will work with <br />states on issues related to endangered species, including strengthening the role of states in <br />management. <br /> <br />Both the water and land conservation reports and the WGA resolution on ESA are available on <br />the Web at www_westgov.onz. <br /> <br />Alexander, Salazar Introduce Bipartisau Legislation To Provide Permanent Funding For <br />Land and Water Conservation Fund: On Jun 23 U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and <br />Ken Salazar (D-CO) introduced the Land and Water Conservation Fund Investment Act to <br />provide $450 million annually from future lease sale area 181 revenues to the Land and Water <br />Conservation Fund (L WCF) stateside grants program. <br /> <br />7 <br />