Water Rights Task Force

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Water Rights Task Force

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; establishment of task force and initial meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the establishment and initial meeting of

the Water Rights Task Force established on August 20, 1996, by Congress

and the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of

the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Agricultural

Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, as amended by the Fiscal Year 1997

Agricultural Appropriations Act. The Congress and the Secretary have

determined that the Water Rights Task Force is necessary and in the

public interest and, accordingly, the Forest Service has scheduled the

first meeting of the Task Force in Denver, Colorado, on September 23

from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on September 24 from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

DATES: The initial meeting will be held September 23-24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Forest Service's Rocky

Mountain Regional Office, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401. Send

written comments to Eleanor Towns, FACA Liaison, Water Rights Task

Force, c/o USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-

6090. Telephone: (202) 205-1248; Fax: (202) 205-1604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Classer, Watershed & Air

Management Staff, Telephone: (202) 205-1172; Fax: (202) 205-1096.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Water Rights Task Force (Task Force) is

composed of seven members appointed by Congress and the Secretary of

Agriculture. The purpose of the Task Force is to study and make

recommendations on: (a) whether Federal water rights should be acquired

for environmental protection on National Forest System lands; (b)

measures necessary to protect the free exercise of non-Federal water

rights requiring easements and permits from the Forest Service; (c) the

protection of minimum instream flows for environmental and watershed

management purposes through purchases or exchanges from willing sellers

in accordance with State law; (d) the effects of any of the

recommendations upon State laws, regulations, and customs of water

usage; and (e) measures that would be useful in avoiding or resolving

conflicts between the Forest Service's responsibilities for

environmental stewardship, the public interest, and property rights and

interests of water holders with special use authorizations for water

facilities, including the study of the Federal acquisition of water

rights, dispute resolution, mitigation, and compensation.

Copies of the Task Force's charter are being filed with the

appropriate committees of Congress and the Library of Congress in

accordance with section 9(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The objectives of the initial meeting are for the Task Force to

elect a chairperson and develop a plan for carrying out its assigned

responsibilities. The meeting is open to the public and will be chaired

by the Forest Service liaison to the Task Force. Time will be provided

each day for public input at times to be scheduled by the chairperson.

However, Task Force discussion is limited to Forest Service personnel

and Task Force members. Persons who wish to bring water rights matters

to the attention of the Task Force may file written statements with the

Forest Service liaison before or after the meeting.

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The Task Force shall terminate either in August 1997 or upon the

submission of a final report.

Dated: September 4, 1996.

Jack Ward Thomas,

Chief.

[FR Doc. 96-23062 Filed 9-10-96; 8:45 am]

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