Final Minutes
Water Action Plan Committee Meeting
The Water Action Plan Committee (WAPC) meeting began at 8:30 a.m. in Ogallala, Nebraska. The minutes of the May 24, 2000, WAPC were approved as corrected. "Skip" Underwood from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service was introduced. Mr. Underwood will be attending the WAPC meetings on behalf of the USDA Forest Service.
Don Kraus voiced concerns regarding the language in the Chair's letter to Margot Zallen of the Drafting Committee pertaining to the development of "detailed water milestones for the 13 projects" using the implementation schedule shown (Table VI-2) in the draft Water Action Plan dated May 30, 2000. Mr. Kraus cautioned the implementation dates shown in Table VI-2 are preliminary and may not be suitable for use to develop detailed project milestones.
Jerry Vandersnick from Nebraska reviewed with the WAPC the results of the 11 public meetings held in June to gather information regarding the draft Water Action Plan dated May 30, 2000. Comments provided at the public meetings included concerns regarding "fair share" of water, schedule, Endangered Species Act (ESA) concerns, etc. Many of the comments were ESA related and not focused on the draft Water Action Plan. The States of Wyoming and Colorado reported they have not held public meetings regarding the draft Water Action Plan, but have been keeping their water user groups informed. Wyoming has asked for written comments on the draft Water Action Plan and anticipates holding outreach meetings in September, after the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is available.
The environmental representatives reported the environmental community is pleased that consideration of a forest management project has been de-emphasized and will not be included in the Water Action Plan. The Executive Director indicated his office has received numerous correspondence regarding forest management and asked the environmental representatives to report to their respective groups that forest management has been de-emphasized.
Nebraska presented a proposal that proposed a change in the mix of projects in the Draft Water Action Plan and identified additional incentives and principles for the use of Nebraska water with respect to fair share. Nebraska's proposal would reserve the water yields from Power Interference and Ground Water Mound Pumping projects to offset new depletions by removing these projects from the Water Action Plan. While, the water yields for Central Reregulation Reservoir, North Dry Creek Cutoffs, and Dawson/Gothenburg Canal Recharge would be increased. The proposal reduces the Nebraska contribution by approximately 2,800 acre-feet. Nebraska is facing concerns regarding "fair share", dollars, and ESA concerns and believes their proposal makes the Program more attractive for Nebraska.
Considerable discussion of Nebraska's proposal followed. It was noted Nebraska's proposal is likely to increase the cost of water for the first increment of the Program, however, the potential increase has not been estimated. The need to address "fair share" with respect to water was raised.
Following a break, the States asked the WAPC Chair to end the meeting early at 11:00 a.m. to facilitate the States meeting individually prior to the States meeting scheduled for 1:00 p.m. to discuss Nebraska's proposal. The WAPC Chair agreed to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m. and asked the States to work to resolve their differences resulting from the Nebraska proposal during the States meeting. It was noted the draft EIS is dependent on the Water Action Plan and a delay in resolution of Water Action Plan projects may affect the EIS process. The States were asked to consider the concept of a trust or contingency fund as part of their Water Action Plan discussions.
Prior to conclusion of the meeting, Nebraska handed out a redraft of the Process to Advance Projects and asked for comments; Mark Butler provided a brief status of the Sedimentation Model; it was identified the States are still wanting to meet with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to discuss target flow development (Nebraska Natural Resources Districts need to understand target flows to establish regulations); and Mr. Butler asked for input regarding milestones for the Water Action Plan projects from the States. Unresolved WAPC issues include: Water Action Plan projects; Process to Advance Projects; and implementation dates for the development of milestones. The WAPC Chair also provided copies of the Forest Management Report prepared for the EIS Study Team to those interested.
A conference call to discuss finalization of Water Action Plan with respect to the Nebraska Proposal and Process to Advance Water Projects was scheduled for July 14, 2000, 1:00 p.m. mountain time. The WAPC Chair will make the necessary arrangement for the conference call.
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
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