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. . . . " · Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery Program Reauthorization Act of 2005 -In March we reported that S. 1578 was passed by Congress. S. 1578 extends Reclamation's authority to undertake capital construction projects associated with these recovery programs through 20 I 0 and increases the federal spending cap by $15 million. We are pleased to report that the President signed the Bill on March 20th. Reclamation to Discuss Plans for Flaming Gorge Dam Spring Operations: Following the recent signing of the Flaming Gorge Dam EIS Record of Decision in February 2006, Reclamation's Upper Colorado Region announced April 7 that it has begun the planning process for this spring's operations at Flaming Gorge Dam under the new set of flow and temperature recommendations analyzed in the EIS. The new recommendations are designed to create more favorable conditions for four endangered fish species in the Green River, without unduly affecting dam or reservoir operations. A technical working group has been meeting to propose a flow target to Reclamation, which would guide the timing and pattern of releases from Flaming Gorge Dam. The technical working group's proposal was shared and discussed with the interested public at the Flaming Gorge Working Group meeting at Western Park in Vernal on Thursday, April 13, 2006. When planning spring operations at Flaming Gorge Dam, Reclamation's first priority is dam safety, and so the releases from the dam are considered in relation to inflows to Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Then, the recommended flow targets are weighed against operational constraints, authorized purposes of the dam, and other resource concerns expressed by the interested public at the Flaming Gorge Working Group meeting. After the Working Group meeting, Reclamation will consider all of the input received and make a final decision. Once the final target for flows at the Jensen gauge has been established, Reclamation's dam operators will carefully monitor Yampa River flows in order to assure that releases from Flaming Gorge Dam are sufficient to meet the target. IfYampa River flows are higher than anticipated, Reclamation would generally operate Flaming Gorge Dam at power plant capacity, or 4,600 cubic feet per second (cfs). If Yampa River flows turn out to be lower than forecast, releases at Flaming Gorge Dam might be increased to as much as 8,600 cfs. using the bypass tubes. During the spring peak runoff season, the Yampa River dominates the flow patterns at and below the Jensen gauge. Green River flows below Flaming Gorge Dam typically account for about 25 percent of the flows at the Jensen gauge during runoff. Water Education Foundation Holds Lower Colorado River Tour, April 5-7: The Foundation's popular Lower Colorado River Tour, which followed the course of the lower Colorado River through parts of Arizona, California and Nevada was held April 5-7. CWCB staff member Ted Kowalski participated in this fast-paced, three-day, two-night tour that included a tour of Hoover Dam, a boat ride on Lake Mead, and visits to the Havasu National Wildlife refuge, farms in the Imperial, Coachella and Palo Verde valleys and the Salton Sea. Colorado River Basin Sallnlty Control Program: . Forum: The Forum met on May 4, 2006 in St., George Utah, the final meeting under my chairmimship. Jerry Zimmerman of California was elected as new Chairman, with Pat Tyrrell of Wyoming to serve as Vicechair. Several new Forum members were introduced, including Steve Gunderson from the Colorado Water Quality Control Division, whose appointment by Gov. Owens is pending. Resolutions of appreciation were adopted for the late Dennis Underwood of California and Mark Pifher who preceded Gunderson at the WQCD. . Advisory Council: Federal agencies have responded to the Report. with general agreement to continue working on issues of interest to the Council. 15