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<br />Included among the report's conclusions are that: (1)
<br />Individuals at all levels of government and In the
<br />private sector In the West are increasing their efforts
<br />to enhance water use efficiency and conserve water,
<br />but much more could be done; (2) EPA Is perceived
<br />to have neither the staff nor regional political support
<br />to launch, by itself, a major new water conservation
<br />Initiative; and (3) there Is support, if not consensus, in
<br />the West for an expanded role for EPA in promoting
<br />water conservation if EP A sticks to supplementing the
<br />work of state and local agencies, other federal
<br />agencies, and private citizens. The author noted, also,
<br />that he had expected to find some who believed that
<br />EPA should preempt or take over state and local
<br />conservation efforts so as to increase instream flow.
<br />No one believed, however, this was an appropriate
<br />role for EPA In 1992.
<br />
<br />Copies of the reports may be obtained by
<br />contacting EESI, 122 C Street N.W., Suite 700,
<br />Washington, D.C. 20001. The cost for 'New Policy
<br />Directions...' is $25; the second report is $15.
<br />
<br />WATER RIGHTS
<br />
<br />Indian Water Rights Settlements
<br />
<br />The House Appropriations Committee has
<br />approved $179M for Indian land and water settlements
<br />for FY94. In so doing, the committee decreased by
<br />$101 M a separate 'settlement fund' for Indian water
<br />and land claims, The decrease Included $20M for
<br />water rights studies/negotiations, which was
<br />transferred back to the Operation of Indian Programs
<br />account where this activity had previously been
<br />budgeted. There was also a decrease attributable to
<br />a transfer of the following projects to the construction
<br />account: Navajo Indian Irrigation Project-$34M;
<br />Southern Arizona (Tohono 0'Odham)-$3.21 M; Satt
<br />River-$1.43M and Fort McDowell-$895,000. The
<br />committee also approved a decrease of $41. 7M for the
<br />Ute Indian settlement fund, because 'As of this time,
<br />the tribe has not yet held the referendum on whether
<br />to accept this legislated settlement.' However, the
<br />committee provided $17.2M for farming operations and
<br />water Improvement projects.
<br />
<br />A primary purpose of the initial proposal to
<br />establish a separate $200M fund was to assure
<br />sufficient funding at that level each year, without taking
<br />money away from other Indian programs and services,
<br />
<br />~
<br />
<br />'"
<br />
<br />to be used in reaching settlements of Indian water
<br />rights claims. However, there is no indication that the
<br />money appropriated by the committee comes at the
<br />expense of other such programs, although the ultimate
<br />outcome remains to be seen.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCllJMEETlNGS
<br />
<br />The Western States Water Council and the Native
<br />American Rights Fund will cosponsor their Third
<br />Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved
<br />Water Rights Claims on September 7-9 in Bismarck,
<br />North Dakota (WSW #996). All interested parties are
<br />encouraged to attend, For more details, see the
<br />enclosed announcement and registration form. An
<br />agenda for the meeting will be available soon.
<br />
<br />The Western States Water Council will hold its
<br />111 th Quarterly Meetings in Anchorage, Alaska on July
<br />14-16 at the Anchorage Hilton. Alaska Governor
<br />Walter J. Hickel will address Council members at a
<br />state dinner on July 15. Other Alaska representatives
<br />will speak to the Council on July 16. The Council
<br />meeting will also feature a panel discussion comparing
<br />state efforts to integrate water quantity and quality
<br />considerations. Other matters to be discussed during
<br />the Council's committee meetings include a proposed
<br />MOA between FERC and western states designed to
<br />improve working relationships, a western state position
<br />on the CWA reauthorization, implementation of the
<br />Endangered Species Act, efforts to regulate ground
<br />water in Texas, and several recent court decisions.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />Schedule of Meetings
<br />
<br />Wednesdav, Julv 14
<br />
<br />Management Subcommittee
<br />Clean Water Act Subcommittee
<br />
<br />6:00 p.m.
<br />7:30 p.m.
<br />
<br />Thursdav. Julv 15
<br />
<br />Legal.Committee
<br />Water Quality Committee
<br />Executive Committee
<br />Water Resources Committee
<br />State Dinner
<br />
<br />8:00 a.m.
<br />10:15 a.m.
<br />12:30 p.m.
<br />2:00 p.m.
<br />6:00 p.m.
<br />
<br />Frldav. Julv 16
<br />
<br />111th Quarterly Meeting
<br />
<br />8:30 a.m.
<br />
<br />The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of .
<br />member states - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota,
<br />Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and associate member state Oklahoma
<br />
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