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<br />. Heeney slide -- Green Mountain will continue to operate under last year's updated and relaxed <br />drawdown restrictions. The new restrictions allow releases at all elevations, but limit the rate of <br />release at low storage elevations. Reclamation does not anticipate decreasing the reservoir storage <br />to the levels that trigger the release restrictions. <br /> <br />. Grand Valley irrigation demands are expected to be strong and steady throughout the summer -- <br />the fish ladder at the Government Highline Canal is nearing completion and may be tested this <br />year. Work on the fish screen for the Government Highline Canal is scheduled for this winter. <br />GVIC continues to report problems with the fish screen at its intake structure. <br /> <br />. Recovery Program-- the Recovery Program and USFWS hope to maintain at least 400 cfs in the <br />IS-Mile Reach throughout the summer. The recommended dry year target flow is 810 cfs but it is <br />unlikely that flow can be maintained given the drought and the limited augmentation water <br />available. As part of the non-native fish removal program, smalImouth bass are being removed <br />from the Colorado River near Grand Junction. <br /> <br />Colorado River Basin Tributaries in Colorado Consumptive Uses and Losses Comparison <br />Reports 1971 through 2000: We have received the preliminary draft report and are in the process of <br />reviewing the document. We plan on making a presentation of the results to the Board once the report <br />is finalized. This information comes at a very good time and will be extremely useful to us as we <br />proceed with the seven basin state discussions. <br /> <br />Colorado Water Trust - Status Report on Proposed Water Right Donation on Boulder Creek <br />(Summit County): In May, you considered a proposal by the Colorado Water Trust to donate senior <br />irrigation rights to the Board to preserve and improve the natural environment on Boulder Creek and <br />the Blue River downstream from Silverthorne in Summit County. The Board's consideration of this <br />proposal initiated the 120-day review period provided for by statute and the Instream Flow Rules. <br /> <br />The Instream Flow Rules provide a process for public input on proposed acquisitions. Rule 6i requires <br />staff to report on the status of the proposed acquisition at every Board meeting subsequent to mailing <br />the initial notice, reserve time at each meeting for public comment and to provide any written <br />comments it receives regarding the proposed acquisition directly to the Board. Rule 6i( 4) also <br />provides that any person may request the Board to hold a hearing on the proposed acquisition by <br />submitting a written request to the Board within 30 days of the meeting when the Board first considers <br />the proposed acquisition. Since the May 2004 Board meeting, staffhas not received any comments on <br />the proposed acquisition or received any requests for a hearing. However, if requested, time will be <br />made available at the July Board meeting for additional public comment. <br /> <br />In response to technical questions received at the May Board meeting, the Colorado Water Trust has <br />contracted with an independent consulting firm for the purpose of conducting additional engineering <br />analyses for the Peabody Ditch water rights. These additional analyses will update the consumptive <br />uses estimates prepared for the original water right owner in 1995, and provide an estimate of the <br />amount of water to be conveyed to the Board for instream flow use. The consultant will also evaluate <br />issues related to the Green Mountain Reservoir Historic User Pool and draft a proposed change of <br />water right application based on their findings. The Water Trust expects the additional studies to be <br />completed by the end of July, and has requested that final action on the proposed water right <br />acquisition be scheduled for the Board's September 14-15, 2004 Board meeting in Alamosa. <br /> <br />Fish And WUdlife Service Seeks Comments On Draft Impact Statement Of Lower Colorado <br />River Multi-Species Conservation Program: The USFWS, Reclamation and the Metropolitan Water <br />District of South em California have drafted an Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental <br />Impact Report evaluating the issuance of a 50-year incidental take permit for threatened and <br /> <br />16 <br />