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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />the Demonstration Projects grants program. Additionally, there may be synergies <br />between the restoration and revegetation methods and technologies being contemplated in <br />the LCR MSCP and the research and evaluations required in the legislation. <br /> <br />Limilrophe International Wildlife Refuge Proposal <br /> <br />The conservation organization, Environmental Defense, has been working with <br />the Cocopah Indian Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Republic of <br />Mexico in evaluating the feasibility of creating an international wildlife refuge in the <br />Limitrophe Division, This reach of the mainstream is between Northerly and Southerly <br />International Boundaries and separates the State of Arizona from the Mexican State of <br />Baja California del Norte. Environmental Defense's proposal recognizes the habitat <br />value of the existing cottonwood-willow native riparian habitat that lies just south of <br />Morelos Dam (River Mile 23.1) and continues several miles south to the vicinity of <br />Hunter's Hole (River Mile 3), <br /> <br />In late September 2003, Environmental Defense released a report entitled "Rapid <br />Ecological Assessment of the Limitrophe Zone of the Colorado River." The report <br />describes preliminary vegetation data, bird survey results, and a reconnaissance-level <br />hydrology analysis, The report describes the condition of approximately 2,700 hectares <br />(or, 6,670 acres) of riparian habitat in the Lirnitrophe Division below Morelos Dam, The <br />report concludes that the Cocopah proposal to create a binational wildlife refuge may <br />have merit; particularly when compared to the current IBWC proposal to clear the <br />Limitrophe of most of the native riparian habitat as part of the Boundary Rectification <br />Project. <br /> <br />Reclamation's Boulder Canyon Operations Office Scheduling Function <br /> <br />Reclamation's Boulder Canyon Operations Office (BCOO) recently announced <br />the opening of the Water Control Center. The Water Control Center (WCC) is <br />responsible for managing and scheduling flows and releases for the Lower Colorado <br />River from Lake Mead to Parker Dam. Reclamation's Yuma Area Office will continue <br />to manage the daily water operations below Parker Dam. Reclamation plans to staff the <br />WCC with a Water Scheduler Monday through Friday from 0730 to 1630 (PST). The <br />scheduler can be contacted at (702) 293-8680, or by email atwateroos(al.lc.usbLgov <br /> <br />Unauthorized Diversions and Uses of Mainstream Water <br /> <br />Reclamation, via letter dated February 23, 2004, responded to the Board's January <br />7, 2004, letter regarding unauthorized uses of Colorado River water. The Regional <br />Director's response indicated that Reclamation has created an "Unauthorized Use Team" <br />to identify the scope of the problem and potential options. According to the letter, the <br />Team has preliminarily identified the issues that need to be addressed, legal and policy <br />decisions that need to be made. and the technical studies that must be completed, <br /> <br />4 <br />