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<br />,. . <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. Observation-well drilling began on September 16 in the San Luis Valley; four to five wells <br />will be drilled this fall. Advertisements requesting bids for well testing are being published <br />and testing is planned to begin this fall. Unit-response function analyses for return flow <br />pattern estimation is nearly complete. <br /> <br />· HDR is developing a data-centered approach for ground water modeling utilizing GIS. This <br />will be used in conjunction with a preprocessor being developed by HRS, the groundwater <br />contractor, to prepare input files for the ground water model (MODFLOW). <br />· A program for analyzing and comparing well water rights lists and well permit lists is <br />complete; this will be used to estimate the number of wells in the Valley for modeling <br />purposes. <br />. The first phase of the surface water model is underway with the model running in a <br />preliminary mode; 530 key diversion structures are being modeled. <br />· The USGS is continuing geophysical well logging of an existing well network in the Valley. <br /> <br />Overall, RGDSS development appears to be progressing nicely with approximately 48 percent of the <br />first year's budget having been expended as of August 31. <br /> <br />San Luis Valley Project, Closed Basin Division: A special meeting of the Closed Basin Project <br />Operating Committee was held on August 9, 1999 in part to further discuss the information provided by <br />Cabeza de Vaca and decided that it needed more time to study that information. The Operating <br />Committee will meet again in November 1999. <br /> <br />We have also managed to get federal approval of the transfer agreement for the rights-of-way for <br />stages 1 and 2. We are waiting for Reclamation to supply the as-built legal descriptions for stages 3,4,and <br />. 5 so we can execute right-of-way agreements with the State Land Board and finally, complete the process <br />of transferring them to Reclamation. Once we have the as-built legal descriptions, we will be able to <br />determine whether the previously appropriated funds will be sufficient. . <br /> <br />San Juan and Dolores River Basin Issues <br /> <br />San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program: The San Juan Recovery Program <br />Coordination Committee met on September 15,1999 in Durango. Shirley Mondy is the new USFWS <br />Program Coordinator. Tom Pitts' April 6,1999 version of "Prograrn Coordinators Duties"' was approved. <br />The USFWS proposed to use $62,000 of the $126,500 they receive in FY 2000 to fund Shirley one half <br />time to work on San Juan Recovery Implementation Program (SJRIP) coordination. Her first task will be <br />to work on a SJRIP briefmg booklet. Ms. Mondy also presented an outline for a public outreach for <br />review and she would like to receive comments by October 15. <br />A representative of the SJRIP is working on recovery goals for the endangered fish. This effort <br />should mesh with the SJRIP Biology Committee efforts to develop interim population goals as well as the <br />Upper Basin Recovery Program initiative described above. The effort to develop basinwide recovery <br />goals is scheduled for completion by April 30, 2000. The habitat and population goals developed under <br />this effort must be coordinated with and become a part of the SJRIP. <br /> <br />Several research reports are still not complete. This is delaying completion of the Program <br />Evaluation Document ("Bridge Document"'). The Coordinating Committee instructed the Biology <br />Committee to complete this effort because it delays consideration of work and budget planning. The <br />. delays in completing research reports have also delayed the development of a long term monitoring plan <br /> <br /> <br />14 <br />