BOARD00054 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 11/13/2006
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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there are other options for filling the lake, including drilling a new well near the lake or redirecting a
spring diverted away from the lake by railroad tracks.

BLM Expects an Appeal on Over the River Decision: Whichever way the Bureau of land
Management rules on the Over the River project, the issue will likely end up in appeals court, BlM Field
Manager Roy Masinton told Chaffee County Commissioners Oct 16.

Masinton, delivering a report on BLM issues affecting Chaffee County during a work session in Salida,
said both the artists and the opposition group are prepared to appeal if the BlM decision doesn't go their
way.

Artists Christo and Jeane Claude are attempting to gain approval to stretch fabric over the Arkansas River
in sections from Salida to Canon City in a public art display. A group centered in Howard called Rags
Over the Arkansas River is leading the opposition.

Although the project would only affect about 500 feet of property in Chaffee County, representatives
from the county participate as a cooperating agency when the BLM holds meetings on the issue.

At the artists' request, the BLM changed course earlier this year and went from an environmental
assessment ofthe project to a more comprehensive environmental impact statement. However, the
environmental impact statement has not yet been initiated.

Masinton said the BLM is awaiting more detailed plans about the set-up, display and deconstruction of
the project before proceeding. He also needs to hire a third-party contractor to conduct the EIS, which the
artists will pay for.

SECWCD Meetings and Events: The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Monthly
Board Meeting Meetings and the Water Activity Enterprise meetings are held the third Thursday of each
month, at the District office, 31717 United Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado. For more information go to
www.secwcd.org

LA VWCD Meetings: Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District Meetings are held the third
Wednesday of every month, held 801 Swink Avenue, Rocky Ford, Colorado. For more information call
719-254-5115 or go to www.Iavwcd.org.

Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy Meetings: The District holds its meetings on the second
Thursday of each month, I :00 p.m. at the Upper District office: 339 East Highway 50, Salida, Colorado.
For more information go to www.uawc.ore: .

Colorado River Basin

September 28,2006 7-State Meeting: This meeting occurred at the Utah Department of Water
Resources in Salt lake City. During this meeting, the 7-States received an update on Reclamation's EIS
process, a draft EIS is scheduled for release in February 2007 and a Record of Decision in December
2007. There was further discussion on finalizing the 7-State Agreement and the Upper Basin expressed
considerable concern with the lower Basin's reluctance to complete the Agreement. Other items
discussed were: 1) Weather modification contracts for this coming winter's operations, which are on track
for completion this year, however considerable work remains on the development of a longer term
program; 2) The Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS) demonstration program agreements have been
signed and the program implemented; and 3) Tom Ryan, MWD, presented a paper on Tamarisk removal.
Updates were also provided on the Long-term augmentation study being done by the Southern Nevada
Water Authority in cooperation with the other basin states, test operations at the Yuma Desalter, and the
All American Canal litigation and the Center for Biological Diversity v USBR litigation concerning the

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