BOARD02469

• Board Meeting Date: 7/18/2005
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

sustained operational and research programs. Director Kuharich and State Engineer Hal
Simpson drafted a similar resolution to the CWCB resolution and placed it on the agenda
for the mid-July Western States Water Council meeting in Seattle. It is anticipated that
the WSWC will approve the resolution supporting S.517 and H.R. 2955 and forward it on
to contacts in Washington D.C.

Western Governors' Association Elects New Chairs: The Western Governors'
Association elected Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as its new Chair at its annual
meetings on June 12-14. She stated that her goal over the next year is to convene some
of the best and brightest minds to educate and inform Western decision-makers from the
public, private and non-profit sectors on steps they can take to ensure our region's
economic vitality and environmental health are protected and improved. South Dakota
Governor Mike Rounds is the new WGA Vice Chair.

Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act Introduced: On June 15, in
response to a Western States Water Council letter, Rep. Ruben Hinojosa introduced H.R.
2925, the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act, to extend Reclamation's
authority to provide emergency drought assistance up to the year 2010. That authority
would otherwise end on September 30.

Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced identical legislation (S. 648) on March 17,
noting that Oregon's drought conditions are going to require emergency attention.

Both bills extend the authority for Reclamation to undertake activities that will minimize
losses and damages resulting from drought conditions, including: (1) construction of
temporary facilities; (2) water conservation; (3) preparation of drought contingency
plans; (4) emergency water hauling; and (5) assistance with well-drilling. Further, the
Bureau can: (a) make loans to water users for the acquisition of water; (b) deliver water
on a temporary basis, both inside and outside of its traditional service areas; and ( c)
provide greater flexibility for federal projects to store and deliver water to private water
users. Governors of drought ridden states or governing tribal leadership must request the
temporary drought assistance for their respective state or reservation.

FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations Passed: On June 8, by a 408-18 vote, the U.S.
House of Representatives passed its FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations BilL The $17
billion bill includes more than $2 billion for a myriad of conservation and environmental
programs, which is still well below levels authorized in the 2002 Farm BilL There is
nearly $940 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with $794
million for NRCS Conservation Operations ($37 million less than FY2005, but $26
million more than the President's request). The National Water and Climate Center's
Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program is earmarked at $10,457,000 Gust
less than last year, as requested). It was noted that the money is still not enough to meet
the SNOTEL needs.

148th WSWC Meetings and 40th Anniversary: The 148th WSWC Meetings and 40 th
Anniversary will be marked in Seattle, Washington at the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth

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