WSP07982

• File Number: 8021
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Western States Water Council
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/8/1993
• Author: Western States Water
• Title: Western States Water 1993 - Issues 973-1024
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

councils or other entities...,' which include state,
Interstate and federal agencies, local governments,
non-profit organizations and volunteer groups. S.B.81
created a water resources department operating
account within the state treasury to pay for
administrative program expenses and allocated $10M
from state lottery funds. S.B. 81 authorizes funding
through 1994, but then requires a report on the
operations, costs and results of the program. The
authority under H.B. 2215 extends through 1996.

WATER RIGHTS/WATER RESOURCES
Indian Reserved Rights/Nevada

The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians and the
Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources entered into an important memorandum of
understanding (MOU) in July. It deals with the tribe's
claim to remaining waters of the Truckee River, which
are not subject to vested or per1ected rights, and with
related land claims, The tribe agrees to pursue the
claims to the river's flow under Nevada water law,
while the state agrees that the tribe's proposed
instream uses are beneficial under Nevada law.

The tribe's right, If granted, would be junior in
priority to existing vested rights. The parties also
agreed that the tribe's claim, once perfected, would be
recognized in the Truckee River Operating Agreement
and enforced by the federal watermaster pursuant to
the terms of the Orr Ditch decree and subject to de
novo review by the Orr Ditch court. The parties intend
to petition the Orr Ditch court to amend its decree to
provide that the waters of the Truckee River in Nevada
are fully appropriated, and closed to any new filings.

In addition, the parties agreed to jointly support
implementation of legislation by the state legislature to
relinquish any claim Nevada may have to ownerShip of
the bed and banks of the Truckee River and Pyramid
Lake, within the boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Indian
Reservation, so that the bed and banks would also be
recognized as part of the reservation and held by the
United States in trust for the tribe,

The MOU may not be construed as a waiver of any
claim by the tribe under federal law to waters of the
Truckee River not subject to vested or per1ected rights
and does not commit the tribe to pay any statutory
fees required by the State Engineer out of tribal funds,

In anticipation and contingent upon execution of
the MOU, on July 9, the Nevada legislature passed
and the governor approved A. B. 618 to relinquish
Nevada's right, title, or other interest In the beds and
banks of that portion of the Truckee River and the land
under and surrounding Pyramid Lake that is within the
boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation.
The act also limits to $10,000 the permit fee for
granting any single application by the Pyramid Lake
Paiute Tribe relating to the Truckee River.

.

The MOU was signed on July 13, by Peter Morros,
Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources, and Alvin R. James, Chairman
of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians. Also
signing and concurring were Nevada Governor Bob
Miller and U.S. Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt.
U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) signed as a witness.

posmON OPENINGS

The Montana Water Resources Association, a
statewide water users group, is taking applications for
a full-time Executive Secretary to replace Jo Brunner,
who Is retiring after serving for seven years, Duties
include office and meeting management, lobbying and
general representlon of the association. The salary
and duties are negotiable. Applicants must have five
years or more experience in water resources activity.
Applications are due by September 13. To recieve an
application or more information call Jo [phone],
or Jay Chamberlin, MWRA President, [phone].

.

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD)
is hiring a watershed health program manager for a
major new interagency program to restore watershed
health in the Grande Ronde Basin and South Coast!
Rogue Basins. Through local involvement and public
participation, the program will develop, fund, and
implement restoration plans. Applicants must be able
to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of
watershed functions, an ability to complete major
complex assignments that require teamwork and
consensus, and an ability to motivate and organize
volunteer participation. This Is a Principle Executive
Manager 0 position in Salem with a limited duration.
It is funded through June 30, 1995. The salary is
$3,054-$4,301 per month. Completed applications
must be submitted by September 21. For copies
contact OWRD's Personnel Office, [phone],
extension 308.

The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of .
member states - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and associate member state Oklahoma