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. . '~ maintenance activities may affect bonytail, razorback sucker, and modifY their critical habitat; may affect, but not likely to adversely affect Yuma clapper rail; and may affect the southwestern willow flycatcher. Reclamation contends that the effects of the discretionary actions are minimal and are offset by the conservation measures implemented pursuant to the 1997 and 2001 biological opinions, as well as Reclamation's participation in other endangered species conservation programs (e.g., Lake Mohave Native Fish Work Group), Included in the Board folder, are copies of the correspondence from Reclamation to the USFWS requesting an extension of the biological opinion and the USFWS's response to Reclamation's request. USFWS has indicated that it does not agree with Reclamation's finding associated with Yuma clapper rail, and will prepare an opinion for this species. Additionally, the USFWS indicated that it will endeavor to prepare the requested biological opinion by April 30, 2002. Comments are still being received on the second draft MSCP Conservation Plan. A copy of the comment letter from the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) is included in the Board handout materials. The CRIT had the following comments: . CRIT supports the overall concepts of the conservation plan; . CRIT requests that the MSCP Steering Committee initiate tribal consultation as soon as possible; . CRIT requests that the currently irrigated lands and the practicably irrigable acreage (PIA) be included as part ofthe MSCP "covered projects" baseline; . CRIT maintains that they should not be required to mitigate for impacts to the PIA lands; . CRIT has identified approximately 14,300 acres which they believe are suitable for habitat restoration and species conservation purposes; . CRIT is prepared to lease up to approximately 14,300 acres of proposed restoration and lake habitat to the MSCP Implementation Authority for $125 to $200 per acre, annually; and . CRIT has submitted additional personnel to be included on electronic mail and meeting notification distribution lists. The MSCP Steering Committee is in the process of preparing letters to each of the Lower Colorado River mainstream Native American Tribes, including CRIT, to schedule MSCP consultation meetings associated with the second draft conservation plan, and long-term habitat restoration and species conservation opportunities on tribal reservations along the lower Colorado River. Draft EIR/EIS on Proposed lID Water Conservation-Transfer Project. Draft Habitat Conservation Plan Reclamation held its public hearings on the draft EIRlEIS on the lID water conservation and transfer project and the draft habitat conservation plan respectively: April 2, 2002, 5 p.m., lID Board Room, La Quinta, California, April 3, 2002, 5 p.m., lID Auditorium, EI Centro, California, April 4, 2002, 5 p.m., SDCW A Board Room, San Diego, California 8