06d

• Board Meeting Date: 5/20/2008
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

other study and collaborative planning processes are also being monitored and incorporated into
the Vision Task Force's work. (Steve Miller)
COLORADO RIVER BASIN
COORDINATED RESERVOIR OPERATIONS (CROS) - Pursuant to the 15-Mile Reach
Programmatic Biological Opinion, reservoir operators and state and federal agencies work together every
spring to determine whether voluntary bypasses of inflow can be coordinated to enhance spring peak
flows on the mainstem of the Colorado River near Grand Junction. Coordinated Reservoir Operations are
generally attempted when reservoirs have sufficient inflow to bypass for 7 -10 days without impacting
their fill and when peak flows at the Cameo gage are expected to be approximately 10,000 to 23,000 cfs.
This year most reservoirs in the Upper Colorado basin are anticipating filling and having surplus inflow
available that could be bypassed. However, peak flows on the Roaring Fork River and Colorado River
near Grand Junction are forecasted to be near flood stage. Therefore CROS operations may be limited or
canceled due to flooding concerns. Involved parties will continue to meet and monitor river conditions
and forecasts to determine whether any coordinated operations should occur. (Michelle Garrison)
MCCURDY, LEWIS NAMED WILD AND SCENIC PROJECT MANAGER AND
FACILITATOR -The Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") Wild and Scenic alternatives group
continues to meet and have hired Jenny McCurdy and Barbara Lewis to serve as the Project Manager and
Facilitator respectively. The Glenwood Springs and Kremmling BLM field offices are continuing to
conduct their review of eligible streams within those areas (through their Resource Management Plans) to
determine if the identified eligible segments are suitable for wild and scenic designation but they have
delayed the EIS process by at least one month. This matter will be discussed at the Board meeting. (Ted
Kowalski)
WATER EDUCATION BORDER WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE - On
May 28-29, the Foundation for Water Education will be holding a conference on U.S.-Mexico Border
Water Infrastructure. For more information visit: www.water-ed.org. (Ted Kowalski)
COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAM -The Governor has
appointed Jennifer Gimbel and David Robbins as new Colorado members of the Forum and Advisory
Council. Staff conducted a briefing for the new members and Steve Gunderson from the WQCD, also a
Forum member, on May 7. The Forum, Advisory Council, and Work Group will be meeting May 28-30,
2008 in Montrose. The Board will be helping to host a tour of salinity control work and opportunities in
the Uncompahgre and North Fork areas on the 29th, in cooperation with the CRWCD, UVWUA,
Colorado Conservation Board, and local conservation districts. It is expected that Reclamation
Commissioner Bob Johnson will be in attendance on the 30th. Items of interest on the Forum agenda
include reports on:
• USBR's new contracting procedure, the Funding Opportunity Announcement ("FOA") which
closed on May 2, 2008 with some 30 new efforts indicating interest. The FOA is soliciting new
projects that might be finalized and awarded by October of 2008.
• CREDA accounting and revenue issues for salinity program expenditures from the Basin Funds
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