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<br />habitat restoration I improvement projects shall be on site to oversee the work at all times. The reinstated . <br />permit expressly does not authorize channelization, new channel construction, or meander cutoffs. <br /> <br />Rio Grande Bulo <br /> <br />Grouodbreaklog for SUvery Mlaoow Saoctuary: On Oct. II, Reclamation, in partnership with the <br />Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, USFWS(Fish and Wildlife Service) and City of Albuquerque <br />broke ground on a new Minnow Sanctuary nestled under the cottonwoods of the Rio Grande bosque in <br />southwest Albuquerque. <br /> <br />The idea for the sanctuary was brought to the group by Senator Pete Domenici more than two years ago <br />as all parties looked for ways to sustain the habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow. <br />Domenici, along with Interior Department's Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Mark Limbaugh, <br />Fish and Wildlife Service's Southwest Region Acting Director Geoff Haskett, Middle Rio Grande <br />Conservancy District Chief Engineer Subhas Shah and Albuquerque Open Space Division Superintendent <br />Matt Schmader turned the first shovels of dirt to launch the process. <br /> <br />Like the facility already in operation at the Rio Grande Biological Park, the sanctuary will mimic river <br />conditions. However, the sanctuary is designed a step closer to natural conditions. The diverse channel <br />will provide a rearing and breeding habitat for the minnow and protection from predator fish near the <br />river. Gates and fish screens will allow fish and eggs to he held in the channel and eventually released <br />directly back into the river. Releases will be timed according to river conditions. The construction of the <br />unique protected habitat is considered one of the essential components for successful protection of the <br />silvery minnow. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />DomeDid: Critical Habitat Deslgoatloo for WUlow Flycatcher Affeets N.M. River Systems: On Oct. <br />19, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici began his review of new critical habitat areas outlined by the U.S. Fish <br />and Wildlife Service (FWS) in New Mexico to sustain the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, a <br />small bird that establishes nesting areas in river systems that also provide water for farmers and cities. <br />The FWS published its outline in the Federal Register designating 737 river miles within a l00-year flood <br />plane or flood prone areas on 120,824 acres in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. <br />(http://arizonaes.fws.gov) <br /> <br />Domenici, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natutal Resources Committee, had successfully pressed <br />the FWS and Interior Department to allow more time for communities and interested parties to gauge how <br />the new dcsignation could affect ongoing collaborative efforts related to sustaining the endangered Rio <br />Grande silvery minnow and the willow flycatcher. <br /> <br />Sao JuaolSao MlguellDolores River Baslo <br /> <br />Doo Scbwlodt Named Water Mauger of the Year: Don Schwindt, president ofthe Dolores Water <br />Conservancy District, was tapped recently as the water manager of the year for the Colorado Division of <br />Water Resources, according to a press release from Division 7 Water Engineer Ken Beegles. Schwindt <br />was recognized for his leadership skills in helping to bring opposing groups together in working toward <br />river management solutions in Southwest Colorado along the Dolores and Los Pinos River. Since 1999, <br />Schwindt has served as a Colorado Water Conservation Board member after being appointed by Gov. Bill <br />Owens. <br /> <br />Dolores River Dialogue Update: The Dolores River Dialogue (DRD) is a process involving water users, <br />environmental groups, recreational interests, and local, state and federal agencies. The Dialogue was <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />26 <br />