Delay in Convening the Task GroupDelay in Convening the Task GroupDelay in Convening the Task Group

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 14:12:09 -0500
To: galbertsen@do.usbr.gov, tfb@marfcws1.met.psu.edu,
        edmund.b.burkett@ssam.usace.army.mil, rduncan@hit.net, zepid@nm.net,
        john.gamble@fema.gov, frederick.g.lissner@wrd.state.or.us,
        pjmack@gw.dec.state.ny.us, smiller@awwa.org, ogden@eng2.uconn.edu,
        donphelps@aol.com, dpope@kda.state.ks.us, jprice@nbmg.unr.edu,
        ecos@sso.org, publicaffairs@mojavewater.org,
        shotwell@rmtaus.rmtinc.com, earl.smith@aswcc.state.ar.us,
        spooner.charles@epa.gov, avicory@orsanco.org, lwedderb@sfwmd.gov,
        don.woodward@usda.gov
From: "Robert M. Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, USGS" <rhirsch@srv1rvares.er.usgs.gov>
Subject: Task Group Delay
Cc: "Robert M Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, Reston, VA "<rhirsch@srv1rvares.er.usgs.gov>,
        "Nancy C Lopez, Chief, OWDC, Reston, VA "<nclopez>,
        "James G Peters, Program Officer, Reston, VA "<jgpeters@nwizqvarsa.er.usgs.gov>,
        "Dennis J Sulam, Staff Hydrologist, Reston, VA "<djsulam@srv1rvares.er.usgs.gov>,
        "Stephen F Blanchard, Deputy ACHO, Reston, VA "<sfblanch>,
        "Dorothy M Woods, Secretary (AO), Reston, VA "<dmwoods>,
        "Janet N Arneson, Secretary (Typing), Reston, VA "<jarneson@srv1rvares.er.usgs.gov>,
        "T. John Conomos, Regional Hydrologist, WR, Menlo Park, CA "<jconomos@dcrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov>,
        "Wanda C Meeks, Regional Hydrologist, SR, Norcross, GA "<wcmeeks@fs1rgaatl.er.usgs.gov>,
        "David J Lystrom, Regional Hydrologist, CR, Denver, CO "<dlystrom@srv2rcolka.cr.usgs.gov>,
        "William J Carswell Jr., Regional Hydrologist, Reston, VA "<carswell@srv1rvares.er.usgs.gov>,
        "  WRD Archive File, Reston, VA "<wrd-archive>

In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 440

				MEMORANDUM

							June 24, 1998


To:  Nominees for Task Group to Review Federal-State Cooperative
     Water (Coop) Program

From: Robert M. Hirsch (SIGNED)
      Chief Hydrologist

Subject: Delay in Convening the Task Group

We thank you for agreeing to be considered for membership on the Task Group
that is being established by the Advisory Committee on Water Information
(ACWI) to review the Coop Program of the U.S. Geological Survey.  As you
may know, ACWI originally planned to have the membership of the Task
Force established by now and the first meeting arranged for July.  Several
factors have delayed this process.

The major reason for the delay is the need to modify the draft "Terms of
Reference" for the review.  I am recommending to ACWI that the Terms of
Reference be expanded to include consideration of the effects of
outsourcing large amounts work in the Coop Program, as is being proposed to
the Congress by some members of the private consulting community.  This
proposal, if adopted, would significantly change the nature of the Program,
and, I believe, should be an important consideration in the review.
Modifying the Terms of Reference will be considered at the next ACWI
meeting in August.

In the meantime, ACWI is proceeding with the membership selection process.
Notification to invited members will occur before the end of July, and
the first Task Force meeting is now being planned for mid- to late
September.  We very much regret the inconvenience these delays may be
causing you.  I trust you agree, however, that because of the importance of
the review to the USGS and to the many cooperating agencies in the Coop
Program,  it is prudent to address these issues properly before beginning
the review.  Thank you for your patience.

***************************************************************
* Robert M. Hirsch                          rhirsch@usgs.gov  *
* 409 National Center                       703-648-5215      *
* U.S. Geological Survey                    fax 703-648-5002  *
* Reston, VA 20192                                            *
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