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<br />September 30,2002) under which the CWCB can file its recommendations and fl11dings offact. This matter
<br />will be discussed at the Board meeting,
<br />
<br />27th Colorado Water Workshop: This year's workshop is entitled Reclamation at the Century Mark - the
<br />legacy and the challenge, The workshop will be held July 31-aug,2 , for more information see
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<br />
<br />Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area: BLM received dozens of written comments during its the
<br />initial scoping process that ended in March regarding proposed management plans for the new National
<br />Conservation Area, The scoping report will be available at wWvv,gUl1l1ison-9:orge-eis,com following a BLM
<br />review, See this web site for information on how to submit additional comments throughout the planning
<br />process, to contact the NCA and Tetra Tech, lnc, staff, or to view a map of the NCA and the most recent
<br />newsletter. The plan is scheduled for completion October, 2003, For more detailed information on the
<br />Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area please visit their web site,
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<br />
<br />Pathfinder Project - Public Meetings: The Supervisor of the Grand Mesa, Uncomphagre and Gunnison
<br />National Forests(GMUG NFs) convened a local community-led group to work together to provide
<br />recommendations to the U.S, Forest Service regarding stream flow protection strategies for the GMUG NFs
<br />that balance healthy stream environments with human water needs, The CWCB staff has been participating
<br />in this effort along with the Division 4 Engineer and the Regional Manager for the Division of Wildlife, The
<br />Pathfl11der Project, as the effort is known, will be holding public meetings during May and June to gather
<br />public comment regarding the tools for instream flow protection, the values to be protected and the
<br />appropriate stream flow protection strategies to be recommended to the Forest Service, The results ofthe
<br />Pathfl11der Project are expected to be a part of the Forest Plan Revision Process in which the GMUG NFs are
<br />now engaged, The first of these meetings was held in Montrose on May 1, 2002, Future meetings are
<br />scheduled for Grand Junction (May 29, 2002), Gunnison (Thursday, May 30,2002), Norwood (Tuesday,
<br />June 4, 2002) and Hotchkiss (Wednesday, June 5, 2002), For questions, comments and/or directions, you
<br />may contact Pathfinder Public Outreach Coordinator, Karla A, Brown at 970-249-3935 or at kbrown@
<br />coop,ext. colostate, edu,
<br />
<br />Aspinall Unit Operations Meeting: The USBR held an Aspinall Operations meeting on April 25, 2002 in
<br />Grand Junction to discuss current conditions and probable 2002 operations, As of April 25 forecasted inflow
<br />into Blue Mesa was the lowest since 1977 and USBR projected that Blue Mesa would be 300,000 AF short
<br />of filling this year. Flows through the Black Canyon were anticipated to be 300 - 350 cfs through June and
<br />possibly increase in July when additional releases are typically made to supply water for fish passage below
<br />Redlands Diversion Dam, The predicted flows in the Black Canyon exceed the CWCB instream flow right
<br />of 300 cfs in the Black Canyon, which could by decree have been reduced to 200 cfs in a drought year sllch
<br />as this,
<br />
<br />The USBR also reported that an Environmental Assessment is being prepared on drawing down Morrow
<br />Point Reservoir in the late summer or early fall to clean trash racks,
<br />
<br />Since that meeting, the forecasts of inflows to Blue Mesa have continued to decrease, and Blue Mesa may be
<br />340,000 - 350,000 AF short of filling, Flows through the Black Canyon are still anticipated to be at least
<br />300 cfs throughout the summer. Colorado Division of Wildlife may closely monitor this situation, as low
<br />flows and high temperatures may increase stream temperatures enough to harm brown trout.
<br />
<br />Because of the dry conditions and decreasing forecasts, the USBR will hold an interim Aspinall Operations
<br />meeting on Thursday, June 13 in Grand Junction, By that time the forecasted inflows and the probable
<br />Aspinall operations will be more certain, allowing for more informed discussion of drought issues in the
<br />basin,
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