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57 infestation the native pupfish are generally doing well although they have been eliminated from some former habitats. They occupy almost every spring examined with the exception of Forest and Tubb's Springs. The Ash Meadows speckled dace, R. o. nevadensis, is not in such a favorable condition as the pupfish. From my survey it appears the dace is on the verge of extinction in this area. Dace were captured in only two springs, Tubb's Spring outflow and one of the Bradford Springs. In each instance only one fish was captured despite fairly intensive attempts using traps, seines, and dipnets. Point of Rocks Spring, Fairbanks Spring, and Forest Spring are all apparently devoid of dace. Fairbanks Spring historically contained the greatest relative abundance of dace. Big Spring, another known habitat of the dace, has not been examined yet this year, but last spring the population there was very low. Since few of the habitats appear to have been drastically altered physically it is my assumption that the many exotic species present are reponsible for the decline in numbers of dace in Ash Meadows. A final report will be prepared for the FWS upon completion of the survey in March. 5. Status of Devils Hole water levels. Jim Deacon reported that U.S. District Court Judge Roger Foley ruled in December, 1977 that water levels must remain no farther below the copper index washer than 2.7 feet. Previously the court had ruled 3.0 feet. 6. Legal status of Desert Fishes Council. The Council's attorney has filed tax exemption forms with both the Internal Revenue Service and California Franchise Tax Board. He anticipates no difficulty in our being granted tax-exempt status. 7. Progress of resolutions passed at 1977 symposium. Chairman Deacon reported that, with the exception of the resolution concerning the BLM California State Office fishery biologist position, all resolutions had been completed, signed, and disseminated. 8. Progress of the newly-revised area coordinator program. In the absence of Chuck Minckley, Jerry Landye reported that all coordinators were functioning and that Chuck is awaiting reports of their annual meetings. The 1977 Death Valley System Committee report has been forwarded to Chuck, and the 1978 report will follow shortly. 9. Progress of the proposed DFC newsletter. Gail Kobetich has agreed to serve as editor and hopes soon to put out the first edition, which will be produced on a quarterly basis. Content of the newsletter will comprise, essentially, summaries of the area coordinator reports plus other newsworthy material as warranted. Jim Deacon is preparing a map, to appear in the first edition, which will delineate the various drainage systems administered under the area coordinator concept.