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Ii," 002011; . . j has provided several written work products to agen.cy legislative liaisons on this issue. It is still the desire of the California MSCP participants to obtain a legislative solution to the problem during this legislative session. Status of Litigation in Defenders of Wildlife, et ai v. Babbitt, et al. The Plaintiffs (Defenders of Wildlife, et .'al.) filed a motion for summary judgement on Friday, February 9, 2001, with the Court. Apparently, the motion is requesting the Court to order re-consultation, pursuant to Endangered Species Act Section 7, by Reclamation on its routine Lower Colorado River operations and maintenance activities, and evaluate impacts to species and habitats in Mexico. Over the next few months the case will be briefed, with final briefs due on May 18, 2001. It is expected that the Court could issue a ruling later in the Summer. The Board does not yet have a copy of the plaintiffs motion for summary Judgement, but will make copies available to the Agency Managers as soon as it is received. WESTERN WATER PLANNING Glen Canvon Adaptive Management A meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group was held in Phoenix, Arizona on January 11-12, 200 I. Mr. ,Harris and I attended, representing the State of California. At the meeting, the federal advisory committee charter was renewed and subsequently signed by Secretary Babbitt, the Adaptive Management Program Strategic Plan Update was discussed in detail, the program budget was discussed, preliminary native fish recovery goals were presented by USFWS along with several sub-prol!ram element status reports. A significant issue was identified during the discussion ofthe strategic plan. This issue is associated with the western-most geographic and planning area boundary of the Adaptive Management Program and potential effects onLake Mead and Hoover Dam operations. Currently, the strategic plan proposes monitoring, research 8;f1d habitat management activities in the reach of the Colorado River in western Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area affected by Lake Mead and Hoover Dam operations (i.e., below water surface elevation 1,229 feet mean sea level). These proposed activities have raised significant concern among representatives of the Basin States. I and Mr.: Harris have been involved in several lengthy conference calls addressing this issue and potential solutions. Basin State representatives are advocating that the program management and pl~ing boundary for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program stop at Lake Mead maximum water surface elevation 1,229 feet mean sea level. The LCR MSCP is intended to provide the environmental compliance for Lower Colorado River operations from Lake Mead to the S18. The'~daptive Management Program is solely focused on addressing the Glen and Grand Canyon reaches affected by Glen Canyon Dam operations. :~;ftt7~._~ . a R. erman Executive Director ~ 71