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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />with respect to the period of reauthorization, the <br />Administration has supported the four year provision in the House <br />bill. Environmental groups are supporting a four or five year <br />reauthorization. Water interests have uniformly sought a two <br />year reauthorization. <br /> <br />As for substantive amendments to the Act, the <br />Administration, environmental groups, and the two subcommittee <br />chairmen (Congressman Breaux from Louisiana and Senator Chafee <br />from Rhode Island) have all taken the position that such <br />amendments are not needed at this time. Water interests have not <br />yet asked for any amendments, but Senator Wallop has indicated <br />that he would entertain this possibility if a sufficiently short <br />reauthorization period is not forthcoming. Senators concerned <br />about grizzly bear issues in wyoming. Idaho, and Montana appear <br />to be interested in seeking amendments to the Act. <br /> <br />With respect to the Windy Gap approach to section 7 <br />consultations. the Fish and wildlife Service stated at the Senate <br />hearings that it expected to phase out this approach as the <br />results of the on-going administrative process were implemented. <br />The Service also stated that it would, in the interim, request <br />any proponents of significant new depletions to voluntarily hold <br />the section 7 process in abeyance pending the completion of the <br />current efforts so that the windy Gap approach would not have to <br />be employed in these situations. Under questioning from Senator <br />Chafee, Greg Hobbs, on behalf of the Colorado Water Congress, and <br />I both indicated that we would expect the Windy Gap approach to <br />be phased out only if adequate alternatives were agreed upon in <br />the on-going efforts on the Upper Colorado and Platte Rivers. <br /> <br />Recommendations <br /> <br />I recommend that the Board: <br /> <br />(1) for the record, affirm the written statement submitted <br />for the House and Senate hearings, and <br /> <br />(2) direct me to actively follow this legislation and to <br />take such steps as I deem necessary, in my discretion, <br />to obtain the most favorable legislation and committee <br />reports possible for Colorado's water users. <br /> <br />JWM/gl <br /> <br />Attachment: as stated <br /> <br />cc: Jim Ruch <br />Tom pitts <br />Greg Hobbs <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />-3- <br /> <br />April 24. 1985 <br />