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Colorado River Basin Cloud Seeding: Through the Colorado River 7 Basin States Negotiations, the concept of collaborative cloud seeding may move forward. A contract was drafted between the CWCB and AZ, CA, NY by the Lower Basin states, and was submitted to the CWCB on October 12. There are provisions needed by Upper Basin representatives before signing this contract. This could lead to grants for winter 2006-07 cloud seeding operations. Funding and priorities have been brokered by the CWCB that could lead to grants to: Denver Water ($30K), Colorado Springs Utilities ($30K), the Grand Mesa Program ($15K), and Southwestern WCD ($40K). This effort builds on Lower Basin funding used in March 2006 to extend operations sponsored by Southwestern WCD in the San Juan Mountains. Staff members Joe Busto and Ted Kowalski are working on a 5-year plan for weather modification in the Colorado River Basin. Staff welcomes input from CWCB Members on the 5-year plan. Draft Salton Sea Restoration Report Released: On October 19 California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman released a draft Salton Sea Restoration Report that includes eight alternatives for sea rehabilitation and a no action option. The release of the study opens a 90 day public comment period on the alternatives and how best to restore the Salton Sea ecosystem. The release of the report, known as the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR), follows two years of intensive scientific study and input taken during 30 public meetings. The alternatives take into account agricultural, recreational and economic issues with the flexibility to address changing conditions at the sea. The aim is to restore habitat, keep air quality from being further degraded and protect water quality in the Salton Sea. During the 90 day comment period, public workshops will be held in the Salton Sea region and throughout the state. Following the public comment period, the Secretary for Resources will select a preferred alternative that will be presented to the California state Legislature for approval and funding. For more information on the Salton Sea Ecosystem Restoration Program, refer to www.saltonsea.water.ca.l!ov California Legislation on Colorado River Basin Tamarisk Control: On September 29,2006 Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill 984 (www.leginfo.ca.gov) which directs California state agencies to work with other Colorado River basin states to develop a comprehensive plan for tamarisk control and revegetation for the entire Colorado River system. Once the plan is completed, California will implement it upon the appropriation of funds. This provides a major step towards cooperative conservation - states and federal agencies working together to approach the problem on a watershed scale. All American Canal Court Case Appeal: The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the Appeal involving the lining of the All American Canal on December 4. On October 31, 2006, the Office of the Attorney General for Colorado filed an amicus brief for the State of Colorado (and six of the seven basin states, California filed a separate amicus brief). The Attorney General Report will provide additional detail on the brief. Colorado River Water Use: As of October 1,2006, storage in the four major Upper Basin reservoirs decreased by 188,000 acre-feet and storage in the Lower Basin reservoirs decreased by 264,000 acre-feet during September. Total system active storage as of October 2 was 33.512 million acre-feet (MAF), or 56 percent of capacity, which is 1.408 MAF less than one year ago. (Upper Basin reservoirs decreased by 104,000 acre-feet, and Lower Basin reservoirs decreased by 1.304 MAF.) ., . . The end-of-year measure for 2004 California agricultural consumptive use of Colorado River water under the first three priorities and the sixth priority of the 1931 California Seven Party Agreement was reported as 3.524 MAF; and for 2005, the end-of-year measure was 3.581 MAF. The target under the Interim Surplus Guidelines (ISG) for the end of 2003 was 3.740 MAF, and the target for 2006 is 3.640 MAF, . 22