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<br />Federal and Interstate Issues
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<br />Tamarisk Control: The House passed H,R. 2707 on Feb, 24 by a 367-40 vote, The bill directs
<br />the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to assess the extent of the invasion and undertake a
<br />demonstration program to assess potential water savings through the control of salt cedar
<br />(tamarisk) and Russian olive, Rep, Steve Pearce (R-NM) introduced the bill, The bill authorizes
<br />up to $25 million per year through fiscal year 2007 for at least three projects in the Reclamation
<br />states to evaluate methods such as: (1) air-born herbicide applications; (2) mechanical removal;
<br />and (3) biological controls such as goats or insects. The Secretary is to use the expertise of
<br />institutions of higher education, state and federal agencies, local governments, soil and water
<br />conservation districts and Indian tribes, The measure now goes to the Senate,
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<br />Governors Renew Support for ESA Changes: At its mid-winter meeting in Washington, D,C,
<br />on Feb, 22, the National Governors Association (NGA) renewed its support for amending and
<br />reauthorizing the Endangered Species Act (ESA), The NGA also released an issue brief entitled
<br />"Tapping State Leadership to Manage Endangered Species." The brief highlights case studies
<br />demonstrating state leadership and illustrates challenges facing states, For a copy visit
<br />www,nga,org/cdalfiles/0204SPECIES,pdf,
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<br />Proposed FY 2005 Federal Budget Information: The President's Fiscal-Year 2005 budget
<br />request was transmitted to the Congress on February 2, The following are highlights:
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<br />Invasive Species -- $58,3 million for a multi-agency effort to address invasive species, Interior
<br />agencies will focus on early detection and rapid response and conduct research to develop test
<br />methods and control strategies, Priorities for the use of funding will be established by the
<br />National Invasive Species Council.
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<br />Water 2025 -- $21 million to foster conservation and interagency coordination, enhance water
<br />supplies through improved technologies and manage water resources in cooperation with others.
<br />An increase of$12,5 million for Reclamation will build on the 2004 Western Water Initiative,
<br />$20 million will be provided to retrofit and modernize existing facilities, promote conservation
<br />and the efficient use of existing water supplies, improve water management by using excess
<br />capacity at federal facilities and for research on alternative water supplies,
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<br />Reclamation n $956.3 million, an increase of$13,5 million, including:
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<br />. $366,6 million for facility operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation - of which $64
<br />million is targeted for the Dam Safety Program;
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<br />. $498,4 million for water and energy management, land management, and fish and
<br />wildlife management;
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<br />. $52,0 million for the Animas-La Plata Project to continue implementation of the
<br />Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of2000;
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<br />. $18,0 million for the Middle Rio Grande Project to continue the operations, maintenance,
<br />and rehabilitation of project facilities; provide flood protection; and for efforts focused on
<br />the protection and recovery of the Rio Grande silvery minnow and southwestern willow
<br />flycatcher; and,
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<br />. $67,5 million for rural water projects, emphasizing a commitment to completing ongoing
<br />municipal, rural, and industrial systems, The Administration is convening an interagency
<br />group to review all rural water programs, with any recommendations coming out of this
<br />effort to be included in the FY 2006 Budget. The Administration will submit legislation
<br />this winter to formally establish a rural water program within Reclamation,
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