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<br />T, , <br /> <br />Membe",s, ewCB <br />June 1, 1982 <br />Page two . <br /> <br />program designed to demonstrate and quantify the potential of <br />cloud seeding should be implemented. Three options running from <br />six to ten years in length with an estimated cost of from $54.3 <br />million to $68.4 million were identified. The preferred option <br />was a confirmatory program of eight years in duration at an <br />estimated cost of $68.4 million. <br /> <br />In December, 1981, the Commissioner of Reclamation, Robert <br />Broadbent, advised the seven Colorado River Basin states that the <br />Bureau had an accelerated weather modification program under <br />consideration. Broadbent indicated to the states, however, that <br />the Bureau was prepared to go forward with the accelerated <br />program only if four conditions were satisfied. Those conditions <br />were as follows: <br /> <br />(1) There was seven state support for the confirmatory <br />program, <br /> <br />(2) The states resolved legal issues concerning ownership <br />of the water produced and compact matters prior to the <br />initiation of the confirmatory progra~, <br /> <br />(3) The costs of the proqram were paid at least in part <br />with non-federal sources of money, and <br /> <br />(4) There was a seven state organization to provide support <br />for and advice on the program. <br /> <br />Subsequently, in early January, 1982, Secretary Watt <br />approved the eight-year program upon the condition that it be <br />fully financed with power revenues derived from the sale of <br />electricity generated at CRSP units, Hoover, and parker-Davis. <br />In addition, the Solicitor, William Coldiron, has provided an <br />opinion to the Commissioner which asserts that a surcharge on O&M <br />,fees to power users could be levied as a means of raising lOOney <br />for CREST without further act of Congress. The ~ureau has <br />estimated that the first three years of the proposed eight-year <br />program would require a 5/6 mill per kilowatt-hour charge, while <br />the final five years of the eight-year program would entail an <br />5/8 mill per kilowatt-hour charge. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Discussion Among the Seven Basin States <br /> <br />~t meetings held in January, March, and April, <br />representatives of the seven basin states discussed the four <br />conditions set forth by Broadbent in December. Agreement was <br />readily reached concerning seven state support for continuing <br />efforts to demonstrate the potential of winter orographic cloud <br />seed ing. . <br />