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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Coordinating Team has the primary responsibility of "facilitating" development of the <br />LCR MSCP, including the Conservation Strategy, the requisite compliance documents, <br />implementing agreements, cost-sharing formulas, and so forth. Additionally, each Team member <br />is responsible for convening individual entity caucus meetings to review the status of discussions <br />and receive guidance and advice regarding upcoming issues and meetings. Each Coordinating Team <br />member acts as a "clearing house" regarding information related to the discussions and negotiations <br />associated with development of the final draft LCR MSCP. <br /> <br />The Coordinating Team anticipates meeting frequently during late-December, January, and <br />through February 2003. The goal is to reach a consensus position on the basic tenets of the final <br />draft LCR MSCP. With this foundation in place, the technical consulting team will initiate <br />development of the NEPNCEQA compliance documentation, and development of the habitat <br />conservation planning element. <br /> <br />This process was conceptually initiated during a meeting in Washington, D.C. with Assistant <br />Secretary Bennett Raley and Reclamation Commissioner John Keys. A follow-up meeting has been <br />scheduled for December 17, 2002, in conjunction with the annual Colorado River Water Users <br />Association Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Members of the Steering Committee. the <br />Coordinating Team, as well as representatives of the Department of the Interior will meet to review <br />the charter of the Coordinating Team, the proposed meeting schedule, list of major issues to be <br />addressed, as well as ensure that there is a commitment to completing the development of the LCR <br />MSCP by late-2004. <br /> <br />On December 11,2002, the scientific peer review panel, directed by M3 Research, completed <br />an initial draft peer review report reviewing the current draft of the LCR MSCP Conservation Plan. <br />The nearly 200 page document addresses 20 questions posed by the Steering Committee related to <br />the second draft LCR MSCP Conservation Plan and Addendum materials. <br /> <br />Generally, the peer review panel concluded that the LCR MSCP's consulting team had <br />performed adequately relative to the overall availability and sufficiency of relevant species and <br />habitat data. The panel stated that there is a paucity of good scientific information related to the <br />overall needs of endangered species and habitats within the Lower Colorado Region, with the <br />exception of the southwestern willow flycatcher. Specific recommendations of the panel include the <br />following: <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />That the Steering Committee consider the implications of fully embracing the scientific <br />adaptive ecosystem management approach for the Lower Colorado River; <br />That the Steering Committee consider restructuring the adaptive management component <br />to incorporate a formal science presence; <br />That the Steering Committee consider revising the functions, responsibilities, and <br />authorities of the principal entities of the adaptive management organizational model to <br />assure creative, adaptive, scientifically-credible processes, provide clarity to roles, avoid <br />duplication of effort, and ensure effectiveness and efficiency; <br />That the Steering Committee consider involving, or re-involving, all major stakeholders <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />8 <br />