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. . River water users, as well as to integrate their comments on the proposed policy. 1, Basin States/Ten Tribes Discussion Record of Decision-Colorado River Interim Surplus Guidelines , On January 16th, in San Diego at the Coronado Marriott, Secretary of the Interior Bruce B'abbitt, signed the landmark, legally binding Record of Decision regarding the Colorado River Interim SUI1Jlus Guidelines. In his speech,Secretary Babbitt said "". the Interim SUI1Jlus Guidelines will provide a soft landing for California by providing benchmarks which provide for staged reductions in its use of Colorado River water over a fifteen year period". \ Following Secretary Babbitt's execution of the Record of Decision for the Interim SUI1Jlus I Criteria, the Mexican Government filed a diplomatic note urging the United States to adopt measures to prevent negative impacts on the volume and quality of water received by Mexico. Representatives otthe United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission are consulting with their counterparts from Mexico on this matter. , Seven Basin States' Tour of the Colorado River Delta, Mexico ) The Southern Nevada Water Authority has arranged a tour of the Colorado River Delta and r~lated water use facilities in Mexico for representatives of the Seven Basin States for February 26 through March 1,2001. The PUI1Jose of the tour is to familiarize and educate the Basin States' representatives with issues, projects, facilities and the natural, cultural and environmental resources of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico. Tour participants are scheduled to visit Morelos Danl, the . Delta, Cucapa Indian village at El Mayor, Laguna Salada, Biosphere Reserve and Research Center at EI Golfo, Riito Drain, Cienega de Santa Clara, and the El Doctor wetlands. Currently, the California representatives have been identified as Messrs. Zimmerman (Board), Underwood (MWD), and Carter (lID). . , Colorado River Delta Workshop \)~ As reported at the JanuaJ}' Board meeting, the Mexican and United States Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) have entered into Minute No. 306. That Minute provides a conceptual framework associated with conducting studies and performing , additional research leading to the development of recommendations for the restoration of habitats il) the Colorado River Delta and the Upper GulfofCalifornia, and for the protection of threatened 'and endangered species occupying those habitats. Minute No. 306 additionally anticipates the f9rmation of a forum for the exchange of information and advice among governmental and non- gbvernmental organizations interested in the region. As part ofthis latter activity, IBWC has formed a'planning committee to establish the framework and planning group process for a June 2001 irtternational workshop that will provide United States and Mexican stakeholders baseline information on the Delta including, but not limited to: (I) legal framework for water use and allocation; (2) the water conveyance systems in the Lower Colorado River from Imperial Dam to the Gulf of California; and 3) status of scientific studies on the delta. The planning meeting with r.;texican and United States representatives will be held on February 21". ". 4 ) ;