Position No. 266

The Honorable George Radanovich, Chairman

Subcommittee on Water and Power

Committee on Resources

1522 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Attn: Kiel Weaver (FAX: 202-226-6953)

Dear Mr. Chairman,

             I am Hal Simpson, the Chairman of the Western States Water Council, which consists of representatives appointed by the governors of eighteen western states. I am writing on behalf of the Council in support of legislation to reauthorize appropriations for the state water resources research institutes program which were established under provisions of the Water Resources Research Act. I understand the Senate may act on a bill (S. 1017) this summer which would be referred to your Subcommittee for action.

             Members of the Council are familiar with the work of the Water Resources Research Centers and Institutes located in their respective states. These centers have assisted our state water agencies in a number of ways as they seek to address the increasingly complex challenges associated with water management in the West.

             The Water Resources Research Centers and Institutes provide important support to western state water agencies in long-term water planning, policy development, and management. They provide a research infrastructure that utilizes the capabilities of universities in our states to address the water resources challenges we face. Most importantly, their research agenda are determined in consultation with an advisory committee of the respective State officials and stakeholders that allows each state to solve its own problems by methods most appropriate to its own situation. In addition, their outreach and information-transfer activities are very valuable to the water communities in the various western states.

             This is a very worthwhile partnership of the federal and state government to use academic expertise to solve water problems. I respectfully request you and your Subcommittee take the lead in ensuring that authorization of appropriations for the state water resources research program be extended for an additional five years, through Fiscal Year 2010.

                                                                              Sincerely,

                                                                              Hal Simpson, Chairman

                                                                              Western States Water Council

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