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UU~bJtJ . . ) Colorado River Operations Reclamation Adjusts Releases from Lower Basin Reservoirs due 10 Precipitation Increases Included in the Board folder is a press release from Reclamation, dated November 23nl, regarding a reduction in flow releases from Davis and Parker Dams, due to recent rainfall events in Southern California and Arizona. The flow release reductions were implemented because mainstream water users typically cut back on their water orders during periods of precipitation, as they do not need their normal amount of water. Taking this action allows Reclamation to better manage and conserve as much water as possible in the reservoir system. 2005 Annual Operating Plan As we discussed at the last Board meeting, the 2005 Annual Operating Plan for the Colorado River System Reservoirs (2005 AOP) was finalized at a consultation meeting with the Basin States, Reclamation, and other interested parties on September 24tb in Las Vegas, Nevada. Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton, signed the final 2005 AOP on November 19'b and distributed it to the governors of the seven Colorado River Basin states and others. The 2005 AOP provides that the "Normal" criterion will govern operations of Hoover Dam during Calendar Year 2005. This determination was made based upon the August 2004 24-Month Study estimate of Lake Mead's water surface elevation as of December 31, 2004. As discussed at previous Board meetings, the 2005 AOP calls for mid-year reviews of the releases from Glen Canyon Dam and the operations of Hoover Dam. A copy of the final 2005 AOP can be obtained from Reclamation's Lower Colorado Regional Office webpage at http://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/rsvrs/ops/aop/aop05draft,pdf. Also, a copy of the final 2005 AOP has been included in the Board folder. Five- Year Review of the Long-Range Operating Criteria Reclamation recently held a public meeting in conjunction with concluding the 2000 five-year review of the Long-Range Operating Criteria for the Colorado River Reservoir System. A few limited changes to the operating criteria have been proposed by Reclamation, While these changes are not substantive, Reclamation, pursuant to the consultation requirements of the 1968 Colorado River Basin Project Act, has implemented a public review and comment period and held the public meeting on November 19'b. As the Board may recall, the Board submitted formal written comments on March 29,2002, stating that, with the adoption of the Interim Surplus Guidelines, changes to the operating criteria were not required at the present time. Following my attendance at the November 19tb public meeting in Henderson, Nevada, I prepared additional written comments on December 1 't. In the letter, I indicated that the proposed limited changes were acceptable and ministerial in nature. Additionally, I indicated that it would be 3