Environmental Quality Council 



STATE CAPITOL 



PO BOX 201704 



HELENA, MONTANA 59620-1704 



(406) 444-3742 



APPENDIX C 



At its March meeting, Subcommittee members discussed potential legislative changes to the 

 statute related to the FWP instream flow leasing program. It was suggested that a bill be drafted 

 for discussion with agency representatives and a selection of "stakeholders" at a September 

 Subcommittee meeting. A suggested starting point for the list of stakeholders was the list of 

 persons who participated in the HB472 (private party) Instream Flow Working Group. Although 

 their efforts resulted in a different program, they had been involved recently in instream flow- 

 related deliberations, and were familiar with the issue. 



At its May meeting, the Subcommittee expressed interest in gathering information on stakeholder 

 opinions regarding the FWP program sooner than September, and requested additional 

 information on the three programs, how they were different, and some Legislative history fix)m 

 the FWP-related bill. The Subcommittee requested EQC staff to call around to discuss 

 stakeholder opinion of the FWP program, and provide that information in advance of their June 

 meeting. 



The following siunmarizes the results of brief conversations with five of the eight members of 

 the HB472 Instream Flow Working Group. The remainder were contacted twice, but we were 

 xmable to speak with them before this memo was prepared. If they provide comments between 

 now and the Jxrne meeting, staff will share those with you at the meeting. 



A list of the members of the Working Group is attached. 



General Results 



r.i 



Several members of the Working Group commented that they hesitated to provide a detailed 

 response without first discussing with their Boards or membership the questions we posed. 

 However, all those we spoke with provided some general conclusions, and expressed interest in 



C-1 



