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<br />Gaging Appropriations Request: In recent years the USGS has had reduced funding in inflation- . <br />adjusted dollars for its streamgaging programs in Colorado, resulting in the loss of valuable gages, as well <br />as increased costs to cooperators. <br /> <br />These gaging programs include the Cooperative Program and the National Streamflow Information <br />Program (NSIP). The Cooperative Program supports a large network of gages in Colorado through cost- <br />sharing partnerships. On the other hand, the NSIP was designed to address concerns regarding the decline <br />in the number of streamgages, while the need for streamflow information was increasing. Under the <br />NSIP, the USGS has been identifying critical gages throughout the nation and providing full federal <br />funding for their continued operation and maintenance. <br /> <br />As the state's water planning agency, the CWCB relies heavily upon these USGS gaging programs to <br />meet the needs of its mission critical program areas including Compact Protection, Decision Support <br />System Development, Floodplain Management and Stream and Lake Protection. Streamflow data <br />provided by the USGS is also critical for the assessment of the CWCB's ongoing Statewide Water Supply <br />Initiative (SWSI). <br /> <br />Since continued funding of these federal gaging programs is critical to our mission, we prepared <br />appropriations requests for Colorado's congressional delegation. These requests to Senators Allard and <br />Salazar, were similar and supported an approximate 10 percent increase in both USGS gaging programs <br />over 2004-2005 funding levels. <br /> <br />Under the presidents proposed budget for 2005-2006, $14,152,000 was recommended for the National <br />Streamflow Information Program and $63,770,000 was recommended for the Cooperative Water <br />Program. CWCB has requested that our congressional delegation consider supporting funding requests of . <br />$15,500,000 for the NSIP and $70,400,000 for the Cooperative Program. <br /> <br />Preble's Finding: On Feb. 2 the USFWS announced a 12-month fmding on a petition to delist the <br />Preble's meadow jumping mouse under the Endangered Species Act. The USFWS proposed this action <br />because the review of all available data indicates that Preble's is not a discrete taxonomic entity and <br />does not meet the definition of a subspecies and was listed in error. <br /> <br />Senator Allard Assigned to Key Appropriation Subcommittees: Senator Allard has won assignment <br />to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water, Homeland Security, Interior and <br />Military Construction. <br /> <br />Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): The EQIP final rule requires the Natural <br />Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to periodically review and update the program priorities through <br />a public input process. In Colorado, we will be conducting two public listening sessions to review the <br />National Priorities. Comments received from the listening sessions in all states will be consolidated <br />nationally as a tool in preparing for the 2006 program year and the reauthorization of the next Farm Bill. <br /> <br />Public listening sessions will be conducted at the following locations: <br />· March 15 -- Veterans Affairs Administrative Office located at 155 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, <br />Colorado <br />· March 17 -- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office located at 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, <br />Colorado. <br /> <br />Both sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude after participants have the opportunity to present their <br />comments. Participants are encouraged to provide a written transcript so we may fully capture your <br />comments. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />8 <br />