01/25/08 Challenges ahead for Bureau of Rec.

Commmissioner Bob Johnson says he isn't telling water users anything that they don't know when he says there are challenges this year for his agency, the Bureau of Reclamation. Johnson was in Boise yesterday to talk to the Idaho Water Users Association annual meeting about some of those problems and challenges. JOHNSON "The number one challenge in my opinion in Western water is drought. The water conditions are looking better this year in fact most of basins in the West are getting pretty good precipitation so far. Climate change. I'm not sure, are we experiencing climate change? The scientists are telling us that we are having climate change. I think there is pretty much consensus on that. Combine that with population growth. If you take a look at where all the population growth is occurring it's all occurring in the Southeast and the West." The fourth problematic area for Bureau of Rec is compliance with the Endangered Species Act. JOHNSON "We're working as hard as we can to figure out ways to deal with those issues that don't jeopardize water supplies. I think the single highest priority and the most important thing that we're focusing on in this area is the federal Columbia River power system." Problems and challenges, to be sure but on Monday Johnson offers some solutions in what will probably be his last year as head of that agency. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott