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<br />1001 .1m 7S0RJ' COU....C!L REPORT <br /> <br />U.S. Geological Sum!y (USGS) <br /> <br />(':") <br />>- <br />1'" <br />C) <br /> <br />The Council, for several years, has expressed concerns about the diminishing USGS role in the <br />gaging station program in the Colorado River Basin, The Council is pleased to hear that some <br />funding has been restored to the gaging program. The Council recommends that pan ofiliat funding <br />be directed to the Colorado River Basin. where the USGS has a significant role in fulfilling the <br />federal obligation to assess the progress and effectiveness of the Salinity Control Program through <br />data collection, analysis and study. If the USGS were to fully fund from its budget essential gages, <br />then funds appropriated to implementing agencies could be used for program implementation rather <br />than payments to the USGS for gaging acti\;ties. <br /> <br />The Council also notes that the USGS plays an important role in documenting salinity reductions <br />that have been accomplished and in determining whether there are trends in salinity concentration. <br />The Council is appreciative of this role and urges the USGS to continue to have its professional staff <br />perfonn these key analyses. <br /> <br />The Council requests a written report responding to the recommendations herein by May I, 2002. <br /> <br />U.S. Fish .( Wildlife Senice (USFWS) <br /> <br />The USFWS has most recently re\;ewed the ongoing efforts in some areas to replace incidental <br />wildlife values foregone. The USFWS was, to a large degree, reliant on mformiltion provided by <br />the USDA III f>.lonitonng and Evaluation reportS. It appears that in some areas the ~'lonitoring & <br />Evaluation report information was not complete or was not in a fonn that made the comparison of <br />replacement effortS between areas easy. The USFWS is urged to work with the USDA to simplify <br />and standardize the Monitoring & Evaluation reportS in this regard. <br /> <br />In theabo\'eprocess. USF\VS representatives discussed with the Forum's Work Group concepts that <br />compare on-site restoration at discrete small areas with the potential for more meaningful efforts in <br />controlled large areas, For example, small pockets of replacement areas are developed in areas that <br />might soon become eliminated by land use change. The Council urges the USF\\'S to continue this <br />evaluation effort <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />COLORADO R1J 'ER B..tSI.....SAUSITr CO.\7ROL ....DI1S0RJ" COUSe1L <br />