Laserfiche WebLink
<br />e <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />: <br /> <br />feet of water to Nevada and Colorado River Commissioner Jim Lochhead has advised Utah that <br />Colorado does not support leasing of Upper Basin water and that it would be a violation of the <br />Law of the River. The states of New Mexico and Wyoming have also concurred in opposing <br />Utah's proposal. <br /> <br />Reclamation Reform Act/Conservation Guidelines: We are participating in discussions with the <br />Bureau of Reclamation and the Western States Water Council to develop Memorandum of <br />Understanding between the Bureau and states for individual states to play lead roles in developing <br />and reviewing conservation plans with individual conservancy districts and contractors of <br />Reclamation Water. We will have a detailed report concerning this issue at this Board meeting. <br /> <br />Native Aquatic Soecies Protection Workshoo: I would encourage Board members to participate <br />in the Native Aquatic Species Protection Workshop which will be held on March 15th. This is <br />an opportunity to review data that has been developed by the Division of Wildlife through the <br />efforts of Perry Olson and his staff. We will need to determine what the role of the CWCB will <br />be in the future as to supporting programs that prevent the decline of species to avoid listing by <br />the U.S. Fish and Wildlife as endangered or threatened. Please try to attend the workshop if your <br />time allows. <br /> <br />State Legislation: We have been working closely with the Legislature concerning our <br />Construction Fund Bill (HR 95-1155). Several amendments have been made to the bill as it has <br />progressed through the House of Representatives, including the addition of $1.5 million for the <br />Arkansas River and adjustments to the bill to respond to recent U.S. Forest Service instream flow <br />filings and bypass flow requirements. A copy of the Bill as it is now written in attached to this <br />'report and we will provide additional detail if the Board so desires. At present it has passed the <br />House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources and Appropriation Committees and is being <br />considered by the full House. <br /> <br />In related legislation, HB 95-1240 concerning the export statute has been postponed iridefinitely <br />by the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resource Committee, and HB 95-1151, relating <br />to springs and wells has been Amended and passed in accordance with provisions outlined by the <br />State Engineer in our January meeting. <br /> <br />Furthermore, the Water and Power Authority joint resolutions are moving through the House <br />without difficulty. <br /> <br />Washington D.C. Trio: I participated in a trip to Washington D.C. with Director of Natura. <br />Resources Jim Lochhead to explore options concerning the recovery program financing, and to <br />obtain support for Colorado River Salinity legislation. There is support from Colorado's <br />Congressional delegation to look for a solution to continue funding of the recovery program, <br />perhaps by adjusting the apportionment formulas of the Colorado River Project Storage Act, and <br />the concept of increasing the funding ceiling for the Salinity Control Program has not met with <br />opposition. <br />