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()0253G 1996 Report to the Rio Grande Compact Commission Bureau of Reclamation Working with the U,S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, U.S, Corps of Engineers, and the State of New Mexico, Reclamation immediately initiated negotiations and actions to return water to a portion of the river, During the irrigation season, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District operated its system of irrigation works to allow native Rio Grande water to remain in the river undiverted for the silvery minnow, and the City of Albuquerque and other entities made approximately 44,500 af of San Juan-Chama Project water available to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District for use by irrigators at no cost to water users in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. Reclamation's involvement with the other entities continued through the irrigation season to assure no additional mortality to the endangered fish. Endangered Species Act, section 7, consultation was completed jointly with the U.S. Corps of Engineers for specific water operations of the Middle Rio Grande Project during the 1 996 . irrigation season. Actions taken during this period included: securing additional water in compliance with State law; improvements to portions of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District's water conveyance system in partnership with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District; intensive water measurement and operations; and increased biological monitoring. During the summer, four environmental groups sent Reclamation and other involved agencies Notices of Intent to Sue for noncompliance with the Endangered Species Act. To date, no suits have been filed. Reclamation and the key agencies, including the City of Albuquerque, prepared a draft white paper in November 1996 outlining water management strategies that could contribute to seeking long-term solutions to providing water for the silvery minnow.and other water users in the middle valley, Reclamation is evaluating some form of forbearance as an alternative. Water' operations are constantly being evaluated for short- and long-term opportunities to maximize available water supplies. , Reclamation has taken a proactive approach to Rio Grande aquatic issues, especially silvery minnow issues, by developing and funding aquatic research and monitoring programs, Last year, 1996, marked the fourth year in a 5-year research effort to determine the distribution and abundance, as well as life history and habitat needs, of the silvery minnow. Agencies involved with these research efforts include New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,U, S, Corps of Engineers, and University of New Mexico. Additionally, in 1996, Reclamation completed Endangered Species Act, section 7, consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for several critical river 16