[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47858-47859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23062]


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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.

[[Page 47859]]

    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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