|
<br />Irrigation water service surcharge and natural
<br />resources restoration fund, and a report on federal
<br />water project transfers, Lastly, Lorna Stickel explained
<br />Oregon's watershed management program, and then
<br />a special panel of Texas members, including state
<br />representative Ron Lewis, Fred Pfeiffer, Pam Reed,
<br />Charles Jenness and Mark Jordan, representing
<br />various Texas agencies, discussed the recently
<br />enacted Edwards Aquifer management legislation.
<br />
<br />Lt, Governor Jack Coghill addressed members
<br />during the full Council meeting on water resource
<br />management in an arctic environment. A number of
<br />other state officials also addressed specllic issues,
<br />Including wetlands, Instream flows, data and fisheries
<br />management Issues, and the Alaskan Native Village
<br />Safe Water Program. The Council also heard a panel
<br />discussion on the Integration of water quantity and
<br />water quality issues under state law, with viewpoints
<br />expressed by California, Oregon and Alaska members.
<br />
<br />The Council approved a position statement on
<br />CWA reauthorization legislation that will be sent to
<br />members of Congress and others. It addresses
<br />funding, watershed management, non-point source
<br />pollution, effluent dominated waters and water reuse,
<br />stormwater, and water quality controls on tribal lands,
<br />among other matters.
<br />
<br />The Council reelected Dave Kennedy as Chair,
<br />Keith Higginson as Vice Chair, and Larry Anderson as
<br />Secretary-Treasurer, The Council also honored
<br />Roland Westergard of Nevada, Myron Goodson of
<br />Wyoming and Thorpe Wadding ham of Utah for over 25
<br />years of service as members, Chairman Kennedy
<br />noted the 'remarkable nature of such an
<br />accomplishment In a muttlstate organization where
<br />members serve at the pleasure of their governors.'
<br />
<br />The next quarterly meetings will be hosted by the
<br />state of Idaho in Coeur d'Alene on October 6-8.
<br />
<br />Western States Water - #1000
<br />
<br />Under the direction of Jack Barnett, then the new
<br />Executive Director, Western States Water's first issue
<br />was published on May 14, 1974. After 1000 issues, it
<br />continues as a brief weekly summary of national and
<br />regional news, items of Interest from particular states,
<br />and authoritative comments concerning various water-
<br />related issues. It also provides a means of reporting
<br />
<br />on many forthcoming meetings and water-related
<br />publications, Moreover, it is a reference for quickly
<br />researching information on a particular issue. Over
<br />the years, its purpose has remained the same, but tts
<br />format and content have been modified slightly,
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />The first Issue reported on a number of water and
<br />related energy issues. Looking back, President
<br />Richard Nixon had signed legislation creating the
<br />Federal Energy Administration to 'prepare a
<br />comprehensive plan for achieving the goals of project
<br />independence--the capacity for energy sell-sufficiency
<br />by 1980.... We need continued conservation and
<br />major new initiatives to expand our energy supplies for
<br />the future,' Western Governors had also received
<br />letters from the Water Resources Council asking that
<br />they designate a representative to participate in
<br />hearings regarding the availability of water for energy
<br />development. Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ) had also
<br />sponsored federal land use legislation, and President
<br />Nixon had expressed his support for passage of
<br />'responsible and effective' legislation that would
<br />maximize state and local responsibilities and minimize
<br />the role of the federal government.
<br />
<br />Further, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an
<br />environmental impact statement prepared on the New
<br />Melones Dam in California satisfied requirements of
<br />the National Environmental Policy Act. Next, some 60
<br />dissident Ute Indians attempted to intervene in a
<br />lawsuit brought by environmentalists to prevent the
<br />opening of bids for construction of a portion of the
<br />Central Utah Project, arguing they had not properly
<br />been represented by their tribal counsel. Further,
<br />Congressional hearings were held on legislation
<br />supported by the seven Colorado River Basin states to
<br />address salinity problems. Separately, the House
<br />addressed funding for state grants under Title III of the
<br />Water Resources Planning Act. The Council and
<br />many WSWC member states sent letters urging the
<br />appropriation of $SM in fiscal year 1975.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />Western States Water continues to be one of the
<br />Council's most well-received and visible products. Its
<br />purpose Is stili to provide governors, members and
<br />others with accurate and timely information on water
<br />issues. It Is a tool to improve water management and
<br />promote western states' interests. We welcome
<br />suggestions and comments from members and others,
<br />and express our appreciation to all those that have
<br />provided information and otherwise helped make this
<br />publication successful.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of
<br />member stales - 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 />
|