2000814_cc.doc

August 14, 2000

Mary Hobson Thomas C. Pelto
Stoel Rives LLP Rebecca B. DeCook
101 S. Capitol Blvd., Suite 1900 AT&T Communications
Boise, ID 83702-5958 1875 Lawrence Street, Room 1405
Denver, CO 80202
Molly O’Leary
Richardson & O’Leary Dean J. Miller
PO Box 1849 McDevitt & Miller LLP
Eagle, ID 83616 PO Box 2564
Boise, ID 83701-2564
Morgan W. Richardson
Moffatt Thomas et al Conley Ward
PO Box 829 Givens Pursley LLP
Boise, ID 83701-0829 PO Box 2720
Boise, ID 83702-2720
Ronald L. Williams
PO Box 2128 Stephen H. Kukta
Boise, ID 83701-2128 Sprint Communications Co.
1850 Gateway Drive, 7th Floor
Christopher S. Huther San Mateo, CA 94404-2467
Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP
1735 New York Avenue NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20006-5209

Re: Case Nos. GNR-T-97-22/GNR-T-00-2

Dear Attorney of Record:

As you know, the Commission has scheduled a prehearing conference to begin August 22, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. We have arranged for a bridge to allow you to call in. If you wish to call in, the dial in number is 805-240-9653 and the Participant Code is 127452. Please be prepared to discuss all the issues and to review schedules. The Commissioners’ schedules are very full and the only four (4) day period I could find is October 10 through October 13. I asked the Commission Secretary to reserve that time. If that is not convenient, I am not sure when the next time will be available.

In addition, I suggest that all parties review their Direct and Reply testimony to determine whether positions have changed and whether the hearing could be streamlined by withdrawing some of that testimony before Rebuttal is due. This would allow all parties to narrow Rebuttal to better focus the Commission’s attention to those issues that need deciding. The Commission Staff is currently reviewing its testimony and is also determining what witnesses it actually intends to cross-examine as requested by both Qwest and GTE/Verizon.

I also want to apprise the other parties of the status of discussions between Qwest and Staff. No agreement has been reached. The parties’ individual appraisals of the impact using the FCC Synthesis Model will have on the Idaho High Cost Fund are significantly different. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Finally, as some of you are aware, I will be leaving the Commission to assume a position on the Idaho District Court. Therefore, Weldon Stutzman will be assuming responsibility for this case.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Cheri C. Copsey
Deputy Attorney General

L:gnrt9722-gnrt002-cc2
Attorney of Record
August 14, 2000
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