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032938 now underway to develop guidance for implementation of the MOA. It is becoming apparent that ESA consultation requirements for many federal actions by EP A could have a significant effect on the efficient operation of state water quality regulatory programs. At the same time, the regional offices of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) have prepared guidance for private landowners and local governments on the integration of the CWAlESA, specifically focused on HCPs and TMDL integration, and have enjoyed some limited success so far in at least one region. 2002: WGA continues its interest in improving ESA implementation. Further the WSWC has expressed an interest in examination of "watershed-level approaches where a variety of challenges may be simultaneously addressed, such as those associated with the CW A TMDL program.. .and the Endangered Species Act, as well as other relevant issues." The WSWC has called for identification of how water quality decisions are impacted by endangered species concerns and how coordination between species protection and water quality improvement and protection may be improved and the process made more meaningful and efficient. Under this portion of the work plan, the WSWC, in cooperation with the WGA, will study and catalog effective strategies for improving the integration of ESA considerations with the implementation of CW A programs. To this end, the WGA and the WSWC, in cooperation with EPA, FWS, and the NMFS will explore and document case studies involving effective integration of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act and specifically where ESA HCPs and CW A TMDL plans and associated consultation requirements, along with related consultation requirements for NPDES permits and water quality standards, have been successfully integrated. These case studies will be catalogued in a repon, outlining the experience of the panicipants, as well as the anticipated results. The WGA and the WSWC will organize a public forum during which the case studies and repon findings will be presented to the ESA subcommittee and the legal committee, where it will be discussed further. A summary of the forum will be provided and posted on the WGA and WSWC web sites. Expected work days: 29 Time frame: February - August F:\WORKPLAN\02WQU^L. WPD£ 4