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. . . McInnis' bill, the "Black Canyon ofthe Guunison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Boundary Revision Act of 2002" would add 2,725 acres to the national park, bringing the park's total acreage to 33,025. The conservation area will be increased by 5,700 acres to a total of 63,425 acres. Wildlife habitat would expand by 7,296 acres, which would benefit several species that are listed as threatened, endangered, and BLM-sensitive, such as the Bald Eagle, the River Otter, Delta Lomation, and the Clay-Loving Buck:)Vheat. The proposal to extend the boundaries of the park was a cuhnination of efforts through the Park Service and willing sellers in and around the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. McInnis' legislation is a companion measure to Senator Campbell's (R-CO) bill S.1944. Pathfinder Project - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests: The Pathfinder Project, a local community-based group, convened to assist the Forest Service in providing instream flow protection on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Guunison National Forests (GMUG), held a series of public meetings in Montrose, Grand Junction, Gunnison and Norwood to inform the public about their efforts and gather input. The goal of the Pathfinder Project is to provide recommendations to the Forest Service describing instream flow management strategies. The Forest Service intends to utilize these recommendations as it revises the forest plan. Meeting attendees discussed their desire fer instream flows to maintain high water quality for municipal water supplies, to protect aquatic species (especially endangered species), geothermal hot springs, riparian areas, and wildlife. Attendees also recognized the positive impacts to wildlife from agricultural diversions and water development. For further information on the public meetings and/or the Pathfinder Project or to take the Pathfinder Survey go to htto://www.gmugpathfinder.org. Platte River Basin Issues Update Regarding Substitute Supply Plans and Ground Water Use: In response to a Colorado Supreme Court Case decision in December 2001 (Empire Lodge Homeowners' Association v. Ann Moyer and Russell Moyer) HB 02-1414 was enacted. The new law clarifies the State Engineers' authority to issue temporary substitute supply plans. The State Engineer may approve the temporary operation of limited plans if an application for approval of augmentation has been filed with the water court and approve limited plans if depletions do not exceed 5 years. The State Engineer has initiated a new rulemaking process to update the 1974 rules for the South Platte. The proposed rules allow the State Engineer to annually approve ground water management plans, including exchanges. The rules were promulgated in May 2002 following a rigorous attempt to address all parties concerns. The deadline for Statements of Opposition is July 31 and it is hoped that a trial will occur prior to next spring. There are over 4000 wells in the South Platte that will be affected by the rules and the trial. The Ground Water Appropriators of the South Platte (GASP) manage a water portfolio for approximately 3000 of the wells. The outcome of the rulemaking could have a dramatic effect on how ground water is managed both technically and administratively. The two main issues are the technical assumptions regarding efficiency/consumptive use and the desire of some objectors to have a date certain for all plans to go to the water court. GASP's, complex portfolio of water rights change dramatically each year and they say it is not practical to adjudicate a new plan each year. Under the propose rules, these plans would go to the State Engineer each year with the opportunity for public comment. This process would reduce technical, administrative and legal costs, while affording protection to senior water rights and allowing sufficient administrative rights for potential objectors. Ifthe process that comes out ofthe rules and trial are too onerous it will 21