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grow significantly due to rapidly growing municipal entities in the region. . The plan also addresses future challenges to managing water resources in the region including water conservation, reclaimed water watershed management, desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, capture of storm water, a surface water diversion and treatment system, and other options. The plan was developed with a number of grants from the Interstate Stream Commission totaling more than $437,000. The Lower Rio Grande Water Users Organization contributed matching funds and in- kind services. The plan will be posted on the Office ofthe State Engineer's website located at: www.ose.state.nm.us San Juan River Basin San Miguel River Basin ISF Appropriations: On Oct. 7 several staff members of the Stream and Lake Protection Section held a meeting to bring together various members of the public of the upper San Miguel River basin to discuss proposed 2005 instream flow appropriations within their basin. Several years prior, the CWCB had met with members ofthe community to discuss instream flow appropriations and/or enlargements for the San Miguel River and several of its tributaries. During these past meetings, staff listened to the community members and heard various concerns. By continuing an open dialogue with the community, the concerns related to instream flow appropriations in the upper basin have been resolved and the community appears to support the CWCB's efforts in stream protection. CWCB staff intends to move forward with the instream flow appropriations and/or enlargements. The participants included representatives from the following organizations: . Colorado Water Conservation Board . Telluride Ski and Gold Corp. . ldarado Mining Company . San Miguel County . Town of Telluride . San Miguel Valley Corp. . Mountain Village Metro District . Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project - Biological Assessment: On Oct. 7 we were given a copy of the Biological Assessment for this project. Transmittal of the Assessment to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiates the Section 7 process on the proposed project. Reclamation To Adjust Minimum Releases From Navajo Reservoir To Conserve Water: As a result of the low storage level of Navajo Reservoir and to attempt to conserve as much water in the reservoir as possible, Reclamation will be implementing a 250 cubic feet per second (cfs) minimum release from the reservoir this winter. This minimum release will be in effect beginning Nov. I, and lasting until the start of the 2005 irrigation season (April 2005), or as determined by the Record of Decision for the Navajo Operations Environmental hnpact Statement. It should be noted that releases will only be reduced to 250 cfs if both downstream demands and the target base flow for the endangered fish can still be met. The current release from Navajo Reservoir is 350 cfs. Reclamation Requests Public Input About The Relocation OfVaIlecito Dam Road: Reclamation has released a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposed relocation of the Vallecito Dam Road (Forest Service Road 603) downstream ofVallecito Dam. The relocation will be accomplished by the Forest Service and is needed for public safety, reliable access, and security. The draft EA identifies five alternatives, including no action. Under the preferred alternative, the road . would be relocated on Reclamation property downstream from Vallecito Dam. To receive a copy of the draft EA or to ask questions, contact Brad Dodd at 970-385-6557. The draft 26