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I" H I Cl n rl 1J I I [l ~ ~ c_ II L; f' , , I' cl (-I L I Ii , ; '-- n I , , . u J OOHJ6 44 endangered fish species. Close coordination between the Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Nation, and the States of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah is required to assure that impacts to users of water stored in Navajo Reservoir and those located downstream of the dam are considered and minimized in the determination of release patterns from Navajo Reservoir. Presently, diversion requirements of senior water rights holders must be met before storage releases can be made for the benefit of the endangered fish species. To facilitate coordination, a Navajo Dam Operating Committee is required. The Navajo Dam Operating Committee shall advise the Biology Committee on available water to meet the needed flows for the research effort during any particular year. Membership shall consist of one representative of each of the following entities (multiple representatives of a single agency will share the single vote allotted to each agency) : Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Reclamation - Navajo Dam Operations Bureau of Reclamation - Salt Lake Regional Office Bureau of Indian Affairs - NIIP Project Office Bureau of Indian Affairs - Albuquerque Area Office State of New Mexico State OI Colorado State OI Utah Navajo Nation ./ , -- , ~ "<~ The representative from Bureau of Reclamation - Navajo Dam Operations, shall meet with the Biology Committee in January to present information on the projected water availability for the upcoming year (1 April-30 November) and storage capacity of Navajo Reservoir. The Biology Committee shall develop the desired criteria for releases for the coming year (April through November). The Navajo Dam Operating Committee shall meet sometime before March 10 of each year to analyze this input and determine if the release conditions can be met, considering senior water rights and water supply. Any other considerations that should be addressed should be compiled at this time and a report prepared for the Biology Committee. The report will be presented to the Biology Committee in March by a representative of the Operating Committee in time to finalize release rules for the coming year. Disputes among representatives that cannot be resolved at the Biology Committee level shall be referred to the Coordination Committee per the conditions of Section 5.1.2. I 5.2 SERVICE RESPONSIBILITY The Service will be responsible for directing and coordinating