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will be used to rank the projects from highest to lowest, factors in flood control, ecosystem restoration, and channel stability benefits. Based on this ranking, and discussion by the TAC during the November meeting, the identified projects to move forward with study on are: • Pueblo Levee • Highway 24 Corridor • Cheyenne Creek • Jimmy Camp Creek Confluence • Clear Springs Ranch Vicinity • Fountain Valley Park Vicinity • Lower Fountain Creek Reach near Pinon • Fountain Creek Monument Confluence to City Limits • Dam Above Pueblo • Lower Fountain Creek Pinon to Pueblo Reach • Lower Fountain Creek in Pueblo From Hwy 47 to 4th Street • Fountain Creek -Fountain Valley Park to Clear Springs Ranch For each "project", the area or subject identified will be studied in detail to determine what physical or policy actions need to take place to assist in meeting the target goals of flood reduction, ecosystem restoration, and increases to channel stability. Meeting the established schedule timelines was contingent upon receiving $147,000 in funding from Congress. This successful funding was announced on December 19, 2007. The schedule calls for projects to be completed by the end of March 2008 with a draft report of the findings by June 2008. SALAZAR INTRODUCES FOUNTAIN CREEK DAM STUDY BILL: U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo, on November 17, 2007 introduced a bill to authorize a study of the feasibility of a dam on Fountain Creek. The bill calls for the Army Corps of Engineers to study one or more multipurpose dams on Fountain Creek within two years of enactment of the legislation. The proposed legislation spells out that a dam, or dams, would be used for flood control, sediment control, water supply, water quality and wildlife habitat. It also directs the Corps to incorporate a 1970 study of Fountain Creek and the ongoing Fountain Creek Watershed Plan in the new study. It would not impact any other studies relating to Fountain Creek, the Ftyingpan-Arkansas Project or the Southern Delivery System. Salazar has been meeting with water officials on water storage issues in the Arkansas Basin for the past year and his staff has been active in the Fountain Creek Vision Task Force since its formation in 2006. At a June meeting with groups that had been negotiating over the Southeastern Colorado Water Conser~~ancy District's Preferred Storage Options Plan, Salazar floated a bill that would have combined a feasibility study of enlarging Lake Pueblo, Turquoise Lake and a possible dam on Fountain Creek. Some of the negotiators at an October meeting said the Fountain Creek proposal unnecessarily complicated the Arkansas River storage projects bill, and Salazar indicated at the time he might split the two ideas. Enlargement of Lake Pueblo and Turquoise Lake would involve the Bureau of Reclamation, rather than the Corps, since they are both part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. ~11~