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<br />003341 <br /> <br />options, and constraints, these factors are loaded into a com- <br />puter program. The program identifies the lands to meet the <br />alternative planning targets for each National Forest. The <br />technique enables the development of optimum results for each <br />of the tarJets. <br /> <br />Integration of USFS Planning <br />Process and Proposed Feasibility Study <br /> <br />Bob Erwin discussed the proposed USFS feasibility study for <br />augmentation of the Colorado River by vegetation management. He <br />reported that the PSIAC letter to the Secretary of Agriculture <br />has been sent to the USFS for answer. He believes that, if the <br />Department of Agriculture approves the prcbable USFS response, <br />the usrs will develop a comprehensive plan of study which will <br />take about six months to complete and would cost about $35,000. <br /> <br />Erwin asked for comments as to which Department of Agricul- <br />ture agency should be the lead agency in such a study. There <br />have been some suggestions that the SCS be the lead agency as it <br />could do a feasibility study under its river basin study autho- <br />rization, where as USFS would need to receive separate authori- <br />zation. The Committee did not have any suggestion as to which <br />agency should be the lead on the study. T~e Committee agreed <br />that the study should focus on Forest Service lands, only <br />treating other lands to the extent of acknowledging that they <br />are also potential resources for augmenting runoff. The Com- <br />mittee also concluded that the study should cover the entire <br />Colorado River Basin and that an end product of the study <br />should be the amounts of. increased water yield, by increments, <br />that would be obtained by incremental expenditures of dollars, <br />land areas, and other resources. <br /> <br />Proczdures for Obtaining Autho- <br />rIZation and Funding of Study <br /> <br />The Committee concluded that the lead in developing autho- <br />rization for a feasibility study and associated funding would <br />come from the states, but that it would be necessary for the <br />states to work closely with the USFS and other federal agencies <br />to assure that any legislation be appropriate for the agencies <br />to utilize in developing and carrying out the feasibility study. <br /> <br />Colorado River Augmentation <br />Demonstration Program <br /> <br />John Lease reported on the objectives of the Demonstration <br />Program, stating that they are to improve winter seeding tech- <br />niques, improve seeding suspension criteria, and improve analy- <br />sis of what occurs during cloudseeding. The program is operating <br />out of a field office in Montrose, Colorado, where five people <br />are stationed. Field work is accomplished during the period from <br />November 15 through March. This coming winter, the USBR plans to <br />bring in some contractors to work on aspects of the program and <br />will try to do some tracing ~ork, finding where the seeded <br />materials go. The USBR will try to get. some evidence of in- <br /> <br />~.0 <br />-]- <br /> <br />:t.'~ <br />