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<br />.' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />,,' <br /> <br />While operations have been focused on alleviating drought-stricken lands in Northern China, the <br />newest assignment for the cloud-seeding troops will be to make sure it stays dry for the opening <br />ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The hope is that any moisture will fall before <br />clouds can threaten the parade of athletes and lighting ofthe Olympic flame at the new National <br />Stadium. <br /> <br />China's leaders want the Games to be a showcase for the country's astonishing economic <br />development The cloud-seeding effort shows how far they will go to ensure that nothing <br />interferes with the pageantry, In August, the Beijing Weather Modification Office will place the <br />area's 20 firing sites on standby for a major test, hoping that results will indicate the agency's <br />ability to promise a successful opening day, <br /> <br />Statewide <br /> <br />Tamarisk Control Update: On June 12 CWCB staff and Rod Kuharich met with Mike King <br />from EDO and Tim Carlson and John Heideman ofthe Tamarisk Coalition to review tamarisk <br />control efforts under DNR's Ten Year Strategic Plan. The Coalition presented graphic and data <br />products related to the recently completed inventory of the Colorado and Arkansas Basins. Mike <br />expressed appreciation for this work which was partially funded by the Board. There was <br />agreement to move ahead and complete the inventory across the rest of the State and to develop <br />user-friendly graphical products which local watershed groups can use to plan and monitor small <br />scale control projects. We have identified $50,000 of severance tax funds to continue this effort <br />in FY07. Mike King is also developing a summary of control activities by the other DNR <br />divisions and will renew coordination efforts with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. <br />Increased coordination will avoid duplication of efforts and provide a basis for assessing progress <br />in meeting the Ten Year Plan goal of eliminating tamarisk on all state lands. <br /> <br />Since May has been no significant movement on HR-2770, the federal legislation which <br />authorizes the Secretary of Interior to assess the level of infestation, water savings potentials, and <br />a variety of demonstration projects. <br /> <br />Weather Modification Workshop: On June 19-21 California's Water Education Foundation <br />sponsored the Weather Modification workshop in Boulder. Some sixty state and federal officials, <br />scientists and water managers attended. <br /> <br />Rod Kuharich welcomed participants and explained that weather modification is one of a number <br />of elements the Seven Colorado River Basin States have agreed to consider as part of an overall <br />effort to augment flows in the Colorado River. He noted that Colorado has permitted weather <br />modification activities since the late 1970's and that recent changes in our state's laws governing <br />weather modification now allow the state to accept monetary donations from entities outside of <br />Colorado to support cloud seeding operations in Colorado, clearing the way for Lower Basin <br />States to help fund such work. <br /> <br />Colorado has some 20 years experience with cloud seeding around the state, but concerns remain <br />over its effectiveness and any effects on other areas. Pursuant to the proposed Seven Colorado <br />River Basin States agreement addressing a number of water management issues on the Colorado <br />River, there will be limited funding from entities outside the State and any funding provided must <br />be approved by the state. <br /> <br />A white paper is being drafted by the seven basin states representatives, which will be peer <br />reviewed by the seven states and water agencies within the states as well as by representatives of <br /> <br />13 <br />