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. . I tour of the Colorado River Delta and related water use facilities in Mexico for representatives of the Seven Basin States for February 26 through February 28, 2001. The purpose of the tour was to familiarize and educate the Basin States' representatives with issues, projects, facilities and the natural, cultural and environmental resources of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico. Although it rained during the trip and we were unable to get to the Cienega de Santa Clara, I believe that we all gained a better understanding of, and an appreciation for, the interrelationship between water usage and restoration of the Delta ecosystem. Minute No. 306 - Colorado River Delta Workshop As reported at the January Board meeting, the Mexican and United States Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) have entered into Minute No. 306. That Minute provides a conceptual framework associated with conducting studies and performing additional research leading to the development of recommendations for the restoration of habitats in the Colorado River Delta and the Upper Gulf of California, and for the protection of threatened and endangered species occupying in those habitats. Minute No. 306 additionally anticipates the formation of a forum for the exchange of information and advice among governmental and non- governmental organizations interested in the region. As part of this latter activity, IBWC has formed a planning committee to establish the framework and planning group process for a June 2001 international workshop that will provide United States and Mexican stakeholders baseline information on the Delta including, but not limited to: (I) legal framework for water use and allocation; (2) the water conveyance systems in the Lower Colorado River from Imperial Dam to the Gulf of California; and 3) status of scientific studies on the delta. The first meeting of the Planning Committee met in San Diego, on February 21". I have included in the Board folder a list of the participants, both Mexican and United States representatives, who where in attendance. Meeting of the Representatives from the Seven Basin States The Basin States have scheduled a meeting in Yuma, Arizona, on March 27, 2001. Agenda items to be discussed include inadvertent ovenuns, the Mexican Delta, and alternatives to operation of the Yuma Desalting Plant. Lower Colorado Water SUPlllv Proiect Last month I briefed the Board on the current status of the Lower Colorado River Water Supply Project (Project) with respect to the activities of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey. With the accounting surface identified and well inventory nearly 95 percent complete, it is necessary for the Board to begin the process to notifY land owners, located within the accounting surface in California, of the availability of Project water. In the Board folder, I have included an overview of the Project with a brief discussion concerning the Process alld Proceduresforlssuillg Contracts for Exchange Water (Procedure) to be followed by the Board in its advisory capacity to Reclamation. Behind that document, for your review, is a copy of the entire Procedure, along with the proposed press release and the legal notice that I propose to send to each land owner. As I indicated last month, I would like for the Board to <: -": 4