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.. . .. USFWS Flow Recommendations: We continue to work with the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program on objections raised to the proposed flow reconunendations for the Gunnison River. The reconunendations have been revised several times by the principal investigator in response to conunents from program participants. Our chief concerns remain water availability, flood potential, and the need for the large peak flows since they are not supported by the channel morphology research. We anticipate revised reconunendations for consideration by the Biology Committee in late January or early February. There will be a 30-45 day review period for the Conunittee. If there is still opposition, the reconunendations will be referred to the Management Conunittee for further action. Reclamation has indicated that they anticipate beginning an EIS process on Aspinall Unit operations to implement the flow reconunendations or a reasonable alternative to them late in FY 2003. Gunnison County Weather Modification Permit: On Dec. 18,2002 we held a permit hearing in Gunnison. Highlights from the new pennit include: (I) a shorter seeding season (November 15 - April 15) instead of the requested November I - April 30) to address concerns of a project sponsor about lost grazing opportunity; (2) concerns about additional snowpack and the impact on research projects at the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab and (3) a request to utilize the EP A CASTNET air quality monitoring site in Gunnison County. We also requested that three percent of the annual contract between project sponsors, or $4,000, be made available to determine impacts to local science projects at the Rock Mountain Biological Lab. Initial discussion with the EP A and North American Weather Consultants regarding air quality monitoring were determined to be unneeded as silver iodide particles are too small to be picked up by air quality filters. Land and Water Fund Gunnison Basin Water Report: The Land and Water Fund of the Rockies has released a study indicating that legislators and Front Range urban planners looking for water should look elsewhere ~hen it comes to NOlie to SPa'e the Gunnison River Basm. A 1lludy 'e1essed T"".9<:l!ly b'jI Ilwl..and andWalerFlJ'id <;l1h"~..I~$~tIi!lllho Gu~ RNolr~ shouId"t~. .....ler to adWl drollght prol:l."", on lI1e FronlI=lM~.. Glmilll>Oll R........_n The environmental group said that tapping the Gunnison would "slowly drain the region of its resplendent beauty, its environmental balance and its economic lifeblood." Instead, the Front Range can find more than enough water to meet its needs now and in the future by cutting its wasteful ways, according to the group. We can email you a copy of the report if you would like one. I will bring a hard copy to the meeting for your information. This report will also be provided to the consultant hired to conduct the Statewide Water Supply Initiative and the Colorado River Return Project for consideration and analysis. lhi;~,Pt~t1lf.<jD~M(;Knt 15 _ _1II,f'"._.r.