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<br />are currently operating under a Stage 2 Drought Alert that limits outdoor water use and steps up a <br />enforcement of water-waste rules. . <br /> <br />SNW A's plan states, "If drought conditions persist and the availability of interim surplus water is <br />further reduced -- meaning that Southern Nevada is unable to access any additional Colorado River <br />water above its 300,000 acre-feet per year allocation -- additional drought response will be required. <br />Other water resources may be accessed to meet future water demands along with demand management, <br />including Southern Nevada and Arizona water banks and additional in-state, non-Colorado River <br />resources." SNW A estimates $ I billion would be required for pipelines, pumps and water treatment <br />facilities to divert water from the Virgin and Muddy to Las Vegas, <br /> <br />Lower Colorado River Species Agreement Signed: On Sept. 14, Interior Secretary Gale Norton <br />signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Arizona, Nevada, and California that will result in the <br />completion and implementation of a long-term, comprehensive initiative to recover endangered species <br />and protect wildlife habitat from Lake Mead to the U.S.-Mexico border. <br /> <br />The 50-year initiative is intended to protect the environment, while insuring continuing water and <br />power production and deliveries. It is designed to address the needs of listed threatened and <br />endangered species, while preventing the listing of additional species. The proposed plan would create <br />more than 8,100 acres of riparian and backwater habitat for 3 I endangered species. Interior will <br />provide half ofthe estimated $620M cost over the life ofthe program, and the three lower basin states <br />the other half. According to Interior's press release, several representatives of federal, state and local <br />agencies and groups that make up the 35-member Steering Committee that developed the program <br />were at the signing. The partnership includes the Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, <br />Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, the three Lower a <br />Colorado Basin states, several Colorado River tribes, water and power contractors and other . <br />stakeholders, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Southern Nevada <br />Water Authority, Arizona Power Authority, Central Arizona Project Association, Trout Unlimited, <br />Ducks Unlimited, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. <br /> <br />Interior spokesman Frank Quimby noted, "It's being called the largest river habitat and conservation <br />project ever proposed under the Endangered Species Act." <br /> <br />Discussions on the issues began in 1997, and the MOA commits the partners to using their "best <br />efforts," staff, and other resources necessary to publish a final Environmental Impact Statement for the <br />program by late December, and to have a Record of Decision in place to implement the program in <br />early January. Numerous permits and documents need to be completed to allow this to occur. <br /> <br />Earth Justice and Grand Canyon Trust v. Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: <br />A hearing was held on this challenge to the recovery goal set for the endangered fish in the Lower <br />Colorado River Basin in Arizona District Court on Oct. IS. A Stipulation to amend the complaint was <br />also signed on Nov. 5. The Claims are under ESA and Administrative Procedures Act. The Judge <br />expects case to revolve around administrative record. The following is schedule that was laid out by <br />the judge: <br />Schedule: Must file administrative record by 11/15/04 <br />Any argument over AR by 1114/05 <br />Any motion to amend complaint by any parties or any claims by 1/15/05 <br />Don't expect any experts <br />Discovery cut off by 6/30/05 .a <br />US must file motion to dismiss by 12/3/04 - <br />GCT must file response by 1/7/05 <br /> <br />20 <br />