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<br /> <br />insuring sufficient water for success of the plan. Potential solutions were discussed and the Bureau was <br />going to do additional investigations on the ideas that surfaced. Additional meetings are anticipated to . <br />further pursue. this issue. Of particular concern was Reclamation's interest in using the mechanism in SB <br />02-156 to protect their riparian areas. We anticipate eit~er a lease of Reclamation' s water or possibly <br />even a donation of the water right. <br /> <br />Navajo Dam and Reservoir Re-operations EIS Upd~te: Work on the draft EIS continues. Staff <br />submitted comments on the latest version of the draft on April 15 . The goal is to release the draft EIS <br />for the 60-day public review and comment period in July 2002. Once the draft EIS is released three <br />public meetings will be held (Farmington NM, Durango CO, and B1uffUT). Navajo Dam releases will <br />bea constant 800 cfs for the remainder of the year in order to maintain at least 500 cfs through the <br />critical habitat even though the drought persists. Inflow is less than 200 cfs per day. The April-July <br />inflow is forecast at about 75,000 acre-feet of just 9% Of average. <br /> <br />Navajo-Gallup Project Update The Upper Colorado lQver Commission met in Silverthorne on June 4 <br />to discuss this project and in particular the issue of using Upper Colorado River Basin water in the <br />Lower Colorado River Basin. The Commission has b~en working on a draft resolution to address this <br />issue and made substantial progress. This issue will be further discussed at the Board meeting. <br /> <br />Rio Blanco Field Trip: On May 28th, the CWCB andiDOW staffs led a contingent ofthe students from <br />Denver North High School on a field trip ofthe Rio Blanco Restoration Project. Fifteen students and <br />three teachers participated in the field trip. Students a~sisted the CWCB and DOW staffs in streamflow <br />and stream cross-section measurements, water temper~ture measurements, fish survey, and willow <br />trimming/planting activities. As one ofthe active 10c~i1 members of the Rio Blanco Restoration Project <br />put it, "the trip was a great success." Staff believes thjJ.t this was an excellent opportunity to accomplish <br />the Board's objectives as outlined in the strategic plan to expose this "honors" class to the field of . <br />engineeringlhydrologylbiology and how the Board's iOIctivities related to the protection of the natural <br />environment. <br /> <br />As reported previously, these were the students in Ms'. Melissa Underwood's British Literature honors <br />class. Ms. Underwood had given the students an assignment-working on a "service learning project", <br />and specifically, "what it means to be a hero." The students had decided to look into an <br />environmentally related activity for their class assign:(nent. In their Internet search, they happened to <br />find a link to the Rio Blanco Restoration Project, which is linked to the CWCB's web page. After <br />contacting our office last March, we agreed to jointly; develop a meaningful field experience for the <br />students that would also involve their assisting in data collection and other in-kind services. <br /> <br />During the trip, the students responsively performed their commitment. The local homeowners warmly <br />received the students and graciously provided a coo~out for them one evening. The Pagosa Springs Sun <br />included a column about the Denver High School snidents visiting the area. To provide you with <br />students' heart-felt reflection of the trip, we have att~ched a few samples of their papers (unedited) that <br />sununarize the trip. . <br /> <br />Yampa Rive~ Basin Issues <br /> <br />Little Snake River Compact Update: Wyoming filed its response and motion to dismiss on April 19, <br />2002. A stay of all discovery has been granted untill after the motions to dismiss are heard on October <br />16. The Upper Colorado River Commission filed lIl). amicus brief arguing that individuals in one state <br />lack standing to assert a private cause of action agaijJ.st another state, the signatory states are the proper <br />parties to enforce the interstate obligations under the compact. On April 8 Colorado sent Wyoming a . <br />letter requesting that the two states get together and' investigate the allegations made by Three Forks <br />Ranch. On April 26 Wyoming responded back that, they would be willing to take part in such an <br /> <br />24 <br /> <br />