Laserfiche WebLink
<br />G\)2'{,11. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />opportunity to participate in the program. The Steering Committee recognizes that Corps permits <br />will be required for implementation of the MSCP, and early involvement of the Corps should <br />expedite the permit process. The Corps expressed support for the program and a willingness to <br />become involved but probably to a limited extent at this time. The Corps will be placed on the LCR <br />MSCP mailing list. A meeting with the EP A has also been requested, but it has not been scheduled <br />at this time. A Subcommittee of the LCR MSCP Work Group is developing procedures for timely <br />compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEP A). <br /> <br />The Biological Subcommittee and Ogden Environmental and Energy Services Company are <br />working to prioritize the LCR MSCP species list to insure that the endangered, threatened, and <br />sensitive species receive the highest consideration as the plan is developed. <br /> <br />As you recall, Reclamation concurred with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Biological <br />Opinion (BO) and agreed to look for additional water for fish and wildlife purposes, pursuant to <br />Reasonable and Prudent Alternative No. 13b (RPA (13 b)). Reclamation met with numerous <br />stakeholders in July to receive comments regarding RPA (13 b). The California LCR MSCP <br />Steering Committee met with Reclamation on July 16, 1998, at which time Reclamation outlined <br />its obligation under RP A (13 b). The California representatives provided comments and suggestions <br />to Reclamation. Written comments were also provided to Reclamation in a letter to Mr. William <br />Rinne, dated July 30, 1998, which is included in the Board folder. <br /> <br />Reclamation conducted a public forum on August 4, 1998, to review and summarize all of <br />the comments received from the stakeholders meetings. Reclamation will provide a draft report on <br />the comments by September I, 1998. There will be a 30 day comment period. Reclamation will <br />submit a final report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by October 31, 1998, in compliance with <br />the terms of the BO. California's comments are included in the Board folder along with the <br />comment letters from the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the Colorado River Commission <br />of Nevada, and the Irrigation and Electric Districts Association of Arizona. <br /> <br />As you recall, the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity (SWCBD) petitioned the Ninth <br />Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing of the Lake Mead delta southwestern willow flycatcher case. <br />Included in the Board folder is the Court's order denying the petition for rehearing. To date, we <br />have not received any indication that the SWCBD plans to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme <br />Court. <br /> <br />Lower Colorado Water Suoolv Proiect <br /> <br />There has been no activity related to the Lower Colorado Water Supply Project (Project) <br />since the August 1997 Board meeting. The staff continues to press Reclamation for an answer to <br />our question "when does it expect to complete the process of establishing the accounting surface and <br />inventorying the pumpers located within that area?" I have included in the Board folder a status <br />report that was recently received from Reclamation. It states that completion of the Yuma Area <br />Aquifer Investigation is expected by the end of March 1999 and that following completion of that <br />investigation, dialogue with the state's water interests will be initiated. <br /> <br />5 <br />