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approach to federal and state program assessment and evaluation. Further, it establishes a "comprehensive regional/state agreement for environmental performance" as the main delivery mechanism. Once a performance agreement is reached, EPA oversight will focus on limited program-wide reviews, after-the-fact (rather than case-by-case interventions). The letter from Ms. Metzenbaum also includes a copy of an executive summary of the Performance Partnership Grants Guidance. The program is designed to provide states and tribes with the flexibility to address their highest environmental priorities, improve environmental performance by more effectively linking program activities with environmental goals, develop innovative pollution prevention progrClrns, create ecosystem and community based strategies, and reduce administrative burdens and costs by greatly decreasing the number of grant applications, budgets, workplans and reports. States and tribes may now apply for FY96 grants. WATER QUALITY Safe Drinking Water Act The Senate held one hearing on S.1316to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act last week and sent it to mark up this week, only two weeks after it was introduced (WSW #1118). Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Chafee (R-RI) has promised that the bill will give states an opportunity to resolve major problems "through cooperation and incentives, rather than by commands and controls from Washington." Testimony in favor of the bill came from the National League of Cities, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the American Water Works Association, and the National Rural Water Association, among others. Notably, the bill also garnered support from EPA Administrator Carol Browner, who testified that it creates an "acceptable framework" for rewriting the Act. She pr:aised itsa,uthorizalion of a state revolving ioan fund, its streamlined enforcement provisions, and its exemptions for small systems. She also endorsed its standard setting "framework as a "reasonable, pragmatic expansion of the use of cost-bl!nefit analysis" that would allow the EPA "to focus in the future on the most important risks to health without weakening health protection." She also agreed with its repeal of the r,equirementthat EPA must regulate 25 contaminants every three years. However, she criticized the bill's "sweeping science standard for carrying out all aspects" of the Act as unworkable in emergency situations and its interjecting the courts inappropriately "into every aspect of scientific decision making in the drinking water program." Similar concerns were echoed by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who proposed amending the bill arkup to help EPA respond more quickly to e ergencies, and to strengthen the bill's public otifications process. WATER RIGHTS State Water Rights/Federal Reserved Water Rights Proponents of federalism principles and state water governance have found a Congressional champion In Rep. Mike Crapo (R-ID), who Is introducing the "State Water Sovereigny Protection Act." The bill would subject the United States to state law with respect to all water , rights sought or exercised by the federal government. It would expressly waive all sovereign immunity for the United States in any and all proceedings involving water rights, and also subject the United States to the imposition of costs and fees associated with such administrative or judicial proceedings. The bill would also overturn the doctrine of implied federal reserved water rights, except that Indian tribal rights and claims would not be affected. The bill is expected to be introduced next Monday. ESTERN GOVERNORS Federalism Summit This week representatives from 44 states convened in Cincinnati, Ohio to develop a proposal intended to assert states' co-equal status with the federal government. The effort was spearheaded by Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, whose address to the assembly noted: "States are offering dynamic leadership, fiscal responsibility and innovative policy solutions in every level of government." Chief Justice Michael Zimmermann of the Utah Supreme Court, in attendance representing the National Conference of Chief Justices, stated, "We have a lot of the same issues with the federal government telling us what to do in state courts. I hope this [summit] succeeds." The delegates agreed to four core principles. One is a recall mechanism to require Congress to reconsider any law or regulation that encroaches on state authority. A second would allow states (through statutes or constitutional amendments) to rein in federal mandates. A third would require Congress to identify the constitutional sources of its power. ,A fourth would allow states to ,bypass "unworkable" constitutional conventions by initiating amendments themselves. PUBLICATIONS The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation in the State of Washington have released "National Indian Water Rights: An Analysis of Negotiated and Litigated Settlements." For, information on the publication and diskette call Jon Hare or C.S. Sodhi, National Indian Water Rights Project.. (360) 273-5911; FAX 273-7558. . . . The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL Is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of member states. Arizona, California, Colorado"Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North DlIkota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. and associate member states Alaska, Montana and Washington.