BOARD02312

• Board Meeting Date: 11/19/2001
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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authorizing the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue up to $2 billion in additional gen~ral
obligation bonds for water supply, water quality, and flood control projects. The proposal passed by a margin
of64 to 36.

USGS National Water Assessment: The House Appropriations Committee has directed the USGS to
prepare a report "describing the scope and magnitude of the efforts needed to provide periodic assessments
of the status and trends in the availability and use of freshwater resources." The Scoping study is to be
completed by January 31,2002.

In preparing the study the USGS is soliciting comments on the following questions: (I) Do you see a need to
provide a better factual basis for regional and national decisions regarding water, or is current information
adequate? (2) What are the key types of national and regional decisions and policy issues that need improved
water facts? (3) What specific variables or indicators would be useful to inform national and regional water
availability decisions? (4) What specific variables or indicators would be useful to the scientific community
to attain better understanding of the national and global water cycle? (5) What are appropriate spatial and
temporal scales for such an effort? (6) What information products already exist that can be integrated into
this effort? (7) What collaborative approaches would assure that the products are sound and cost-effective?

USGS wanted comments by the end of October and held a meeting on October 22 in Virginia to discuss the
program. For information, contact Paul Barlow at [phone] or [e-mail].

Security at Dams: Security at federal dams across the nation was increased in response to the terrorist
attacks in New York. All Reclamation dams, power plants and offices remained in operation, but
nonessential services have been curtailed. Both the Corps and Reclamation have canceled tours.

Terrorist Security Conference: The American Water Works Association is hosting a seminar entitled:
"Counter Terrorism and Security in the Water Industry" on Nov. 15-16 in Denver. The seminar will cover
topics such as threat identification, available resources, and safety planning. A staff member will attend on
our behalf. For more information visit www.awwa.org.

New Farm Bill: It is uncertain whether or not the new Faun Bill will move forward anytime soon. One
aspect ofthe new Faun Bill that is important to Colorado and the Colorado River Salinity Control Program is
the provision that would include a special designation under the approximately $2 billion EQIP line item of
$15 million specifically for Colorado River Salinity Control. We are currently in the process of writing our
Congressional Delegation and asking them to support this provision ofthe new Farm Bill.

High Plains Groundwater: A bill, S. 1537, has been introduced to authorize the Interior Secretary to
conduct a hydrogeologic mapping, modeling and monitoring program for the High Plains Aquifer and to
establish the High Plains Aquifer Coordination council to facilitate groundwater conservation in the High
Plains.

To promote the need for such an effort state geologists have formed a "High Plains Aquifer Coalition." Vicki
Cowart, our own State Geologist, would appreciate knowing your views about the need for such an entity
and for the purposes outlined in the bill (attached).

The CGS is already hard at work on our own groundwater atlas that will include information about the
Colorado areas that comprise the High Plains Aquifer. The aquifer covers areas in Colorado, Wyoming,
South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

A copy of a brochure has been included in your notebook. For more information and to express your views
you can contact Vicki at [e-mail].

USACE Colorado Service Center

The following is a summary of the Corps' budget in Colorado for General Investigations, 0 & M,
Continuing Authorities, Military Construction, and Waste Clean Up. Future director's reports will highlight

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