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<br />. <br /> <br />the six previous summers. This has helped to reduce wildfire potential and has reduced demand on <br />Front Range domestic water systems. <br /> <br />Meteorological experts at NOAA are predicting a better than average possibility of the return ofEI <br />Nino conditions for this Fall and early Winter. The strength of this event remains uncertain at this <br />time. However, if the EI Nino conditions strengthen over the next several weeks, this could extend the <br />current wet spell over much of Colorado. <br /> <br />Water Availability Task Force: The Water Availability Task Force last met on July 27,2004, at <br />which time statewide reservoir storage levels were at 80% of average with southwest basins doing <br />better than other areas of the state. Streamflows during June ranged from 400% of average to 11 % of <br />average. State Climatologist, Roger Pielke, indicated that Colorado was currently fairing better than <br />most of our neighboring western states in terms of precipitation and current drought impacts. <br /> <br />Reservoir levels as of August 1, 2004 are as follows: <br />Statewide: 79% of average <br />South Platte: 87% <br />Arkansas: 52% <br />Rio Grande: 37% <br /> <br />Dolores: <br />Gunnison: <br />Colorado: <br />Yampa: <br /> <br />87% <br />90% <br />78% <br />45% <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Most of the Drought Impact Task Force groups reported that drought impacts to their respective groups <br />have stabilized for the time being. However, the Agriculture Impact Task Force chairman, JeffTranel, <br />reported that agriculture continues to be heavily impacted by the drought. Mr. Tranel noted that much <br />of the rain, while welcome, came at the wrong time and that weeds will become much more <br />problematic in the near future due to drought impacts. <br /> <br />The next meeting of the Task Force is September 21, 2004. <br /> <br />Colorado Foundation for Water Education: The annual $150,000 contract between the CWCB and <br />the Colorado Foundation for Water Education has been signed and completed for 2004-2005. The <br />Board approved the Foundation's scope of work at the May 2004, Board meeting. <br /> <br />HB 1365 Guidelines: CWCB staff are preparing guidelines in response to new water conservation and <br />drought planning requirements put in place from HB 1365. Staff will be working with stakeholders <br />and may seek input from consultants in formalizing and completing the guidelines. A first draft is <br />expected to be ready for Board review at the January 2005 Board meeting. <br /> <br />Sam Maynes Passes Away: Sam Maynes passed away Sunday, July 26 at his home in Durango. Sam <br />had been fighting cancer. We will all miss Sam. <br /> <br />Forest Service and TV Form Partnership: On Aug.18 the Forest Service and Trout Unlimited <br />announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding to bring national awareness and support <br />to their joint cleanup work of abandoned mine sites. Weare attempting to secure a copy of this <br />agreement for you. <br /> <br />Tamarisk Control Update: Tim Carlson, Executive Director of the Tamarisk Coalition, reports that <br />federal legislation is likely to be enacted this session. Two slightly different versions have been passed <br />in the respective chambers of Congress, and resolution of that difference is imminent. In addition, <br />numerous local activities on a watershed basis are gaining momentum, both in anticipation of the <br />availability of federal funding and as locally led riparian restoration efforts. The Board has again <br />provided $5000. of funding to the Coalition for this fiscal year to help it coordinate these efforts and to <br />keep the Board advised of developing issues on what is now a 17 western state program. <br /> <br />5 <br />