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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />$J:\eaman Lake <br /> <br /> <br />rights application, <br />which would <br />preserve a natural <br />lake located on their <br />property. The <br />CWCB objected to <br />the Sheaman's <br />current water rights <br />application (Case <br />No. 1-01CWOI6) <br />based on the <br />Board's exclusive authority regarding the preservation of natural lake levels. After viewing the lake, <br />CWCB and CDOW believe the lake is natural and could benefit by a CWCB held natural lake level <br />appropriation. Staffhas agreed to work with the Sheaman's to pursue a natural lake level <br />recommendation in the future on the lake. Staff is currently investigating the type of natural <br />environment to be preserved and the water-related resources associated with the lake. <br /> <br />Rio Grande Basin Issues <br /> <br />RGDSS Status: Development of the Rio Grande Decision Support System (RGDSS) is in the final <br />phase of a three-year, $4,960,000 effort. Most ofthe tools and models for RGDSS have been developed <br />or are nearing completion. <br /> <br />The majority of the work remaining involves modeling tasks in the Ground Water contract (RRS Water <br />Consultants), with some modeling also remaining in the Surface Water contract (Hydrosphere). <br /> <br />An advisory committee meeting, as well as a technical subcommittee meeting regarding the ground <br />water model development, was held in Monte Vista on June 25. The next technical subcommittee <br />meeting is planned for July 29 in Denver. <br /> <br />Rio Grande Project Operations: On July 3 the Colorado State Engineer again complained to <br />Reclamation that the Rio Grande Project was being operated improperly. Approximately 13,000 acres <br />in the Hudspeth County District are receiving water through the EI Paso No. I District that they are not <br />entitled too. The delivery of water to the Hudspeth District will result in about 100,000 acre-feet of <br />drawdown in Elephant Butte Reservoir. This draw will cause project storage in Elephant Butte to fall <br />below the 400,000 acre-foot level. When Project storage falls below the 400,000 acre-foot level, post <br />compact reservoirs in Colorado and New Mexico may not increase the amount of storage they hold <br />unless any credit water is relinquished. Colorado is also concerned that the amount of usable project <br />water is so low the credit water could inadvertently be released. Additionally, Texas's full allocation is <br />being released from Elephant Butte Reservoir, which is of particular concern during this drought. <br /> <br />San Juan and Dolores River Issues <br /> <br />Animas-La Plata Project Operations Committee: Reclamation is in the process of establishing a <br />Project Operations Committee (POC). The POC would oversee the long-term operation, maintenance <br />and replacement activities for the ALP. The Board will have further discussion on this as part of agenda <br />item 14. <br /> <br />Animas-La Plata Project Wetlands Mitigation: The CWCB staff, local water users, Animas-La Plata <br />Project (ALPlProject) proponents, the Bureau of Reclamation and others have been meeting to discuss <br />the issue of insuring sufficient water is available for ALP wetlands mitigation success. An initial <br />meeting was held in March of 2002 to review the status of the Project, the wetlands mitigation <br />commitment and commitment dates, the proposed mitigation plan and schedule, and the issue of <br />23 <br />