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Comment on Action Items 1, 37 & 39. I would suggest that USBR's support and involvement in watershed councils in which it's partners and stakeholders are leading or participating in would be very helpful in developing and strengthening relationships (Action Item 1) and in practicing collaboration and consensus building skills (Action Items 37 39). Involvement in watershed councils is also a great way to coordinate projects and interact with other federal, state, and local government officials as well as NGO's. This concept could be worked into the "Product to be Developed" for Action Items 1 and 37 39. Just a further observation. USBR people from the project office have collaborated with us (partner) and stakeholders for many years on reservoir releases to benefit fish and wildlife while not interfering with the primary purpose of the reservoir which is irrigation. However, I’ve noticed that the Bureau does not collaborate on similar releases from other reservoirs under their project office. I believe they could create better relationships of trust and confidence with their partners and stakeholders if they did so. Gary Campbell presented information on Detailed Cost Overview. My comment is that your partners need to understand up front, when USBR people are involved, whether the costs of their involvement are reimbursable or non-reimbursable. It would help your partners to know what the policies are to determine the difference. Concerning Functional Area Asset Sustainment, the USBR does a good job of informing us about potential O&M projects and costs. I believe they could work with us more to determine ahead of time what the best way would be to address those projects. Action Item 25 is very much needed if it’s possible to have the reports understandable. A few years ago we were very close to moving forward with title transfer of the two dams we operate and maintain with the Bureau. A major obstacle was taking on the liability of the dams. In completing a title transfer on a canal and five wells we found out that the process is very expensive. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.	09/22/2006

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Comment on Action Items 1, 37 & 39. I would suggest that USBR's support and involvement in watershed councils in which it's partners and stakeholders are leading or participating in would be very helpful in developing and strengthening relationships (Action Item 1) and in practicing collaboration and consensus building skills (Action Items 37 39). Involvement in watershed councils is also a great way to coordinate projects and interact with other federal, state, and local government officials as well as NGO's. This concept could be worked into the "Product to be Developed" for Action Items 1 and 37 39. Just a further observation. USBR people from the project office have collaborated with us (partner) and stakeholders for many years on reservoir releases to benefit fish and wildlife while not interfering with the primary purpose of the reservoir which is irrigation. However, I’ve noticed that the Bureau does not collaborate on similar releases from other reservoirs under their project office. I believe they could create better relationships of trust and confidence with their partners and stakeholders if they did so.

Gary Campbell presented information on Detailed Cost Overview. My comment is that your partners need to understand up front, when USBR people are involved, whether the costs of their involvement are reimbursable or non-reimbursable. It would help your partners to know what the policies are to determine the difference.

Concerning Functional Area Asset Sustainment, the USBR does a good job of informing us about potential O&M projects and costs. I believe they could work with us more to determine ahead of time what the best way would be to address those projects. Action Item 25 is very much needed if it’s possible to have the reports understandable.

A few years ago we were very close to moving forward with title transfer of the two dams we operate and maintain with the Bureau. A major obstacle was taking on the liability of the dams. In completing a title transfer on a canal and five wells we found out that the process is very expensive.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

09/22/2006