|
<br />00253E
<br />
<br />1993 ANNUAL REPORT
<br />OF THE
<br />WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL
<br />
<br />INTRODUCTION
<br />
<br />The first official meeting of the Western States Water Council was held at
<br />Stateline (Lake Tahoe), Nevada on August 3, 1965, The Western Governors',
<br />Conference approved the creation of the Western States Water Council during meetings
<br />in Portland, Oregon on June 10-13, 1965, The Governors' resolution explicitly stated:.
<br />"The future growth and prosperity of the western states depend upon the availability of
<br />adequate quantities of water of suitable quality," Further, the governors felt that a fair'
<br />appraisal of future water needs, and the most equitable means of meeting such needs,
<br />demanded a regional effort. Water availability and interbasin transfers of water were
<br />important issues, Western states found themselves in an era of rapid federal water
<br />resources development, and regional or basinwide planning, without a sufficient voice in
<br />the use of their water resources, The Western States Water Council has since provided a
<br />unified voice on behalf of western governors on water policy issues,
<br />
<br />The emphasis and focus of the Western States Water Council has changed over
<br />the years as different water policy problems have evolved. However. the commitment
<br />towards reaching a regional consensus on issues of mutual concern has continued, The
<br />Council has proven to be a dynamic, flexible institution providing a forum for the free
<br />discussion and consideration of many water policies that are vital to the future welfare of
<br />the West. As envisioned by the Western Governors' Conference, it has succeeded as a
<br />continuing body, serving the governors in an expert advisory capacity. For over twenty-
<br />five years, the Western States Water Council has endeavored to develop a regional con-
<br />sensus on westwide water policy and planning initiatives, particularly federal initiatives,
<br />The Council strives to protect western states' water interests, while at the same time
<br />serving to coordinate and facilitate efforts to improve western water planning and man-
<br />agement.
<br />
<br />Originally, Council membership consisted of eleven western states: ARI-
<br />ZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, IDAHO, MONTANA, NEVADA, NEW
<br />MEXICO, OREGON, UTAH, WASHINGTON and WYOMING, In 1978, TEXAS
<br />was admitted to membership, after many years of participation in Council activities in an
<br />"observer" status, ALASKA requested and received membership in 1984, NORTH
<br />DAKOTA and SOUTH DAKOTA both received membership in 1988 after a long asso-
<br />ciation with the Council. In 1991, HAWAII requested and received membership,
<br />Council membership is automatically open to all member states of the Western
<br />Governors' Association (which also includes the State of Nebraska). Other states may
<br />be admitted by a unanimous vote of the member states, OKLAHOMA was admitted as
<br />an associate member in January 1990. During 1993, due to severe budget cuts, the State
<br />of Montana requested and the Council approved temporary associate member status,
<br />Council membership stands at seventeen states,
<br />
<br />i:';".~;'~;,~'f~~~:~:~~~~;,:~'-;i:'.:
<br />'-'~. "'~' 'eI''''' \~;~;,..-:.,...(.,
<br />
|