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. . interim surplus criteria. The technical representatives met on April 27'"' and May 9'"' to discuss the latest computer runs to compare the impacts of using various surplus criteria. It was determined that there was little difference in the impacts on the reservoir system between the criteria being proposed by the other Basin states and the criteria being proposed by California. The primary differences are in I) the quantity of water made available for offstream storage; 2) the quantity of water available for the agricultural agencies; and 3) the excess water released from the reservoir system abovc downstream requirements, The next meeting of the Basin States and Tribes representatives will be held on May 25'" in Phoenix, Arizona. It is hoped that at that meeting mutually acceptable surplus criteria will be developed and given to Reclamation for inclusion in its environmental analysis. Chemehuevi Indian Tribe At the August 1999 Board meeting, we briefly discussed the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe's request for issuance of a Trust Patent for Reclamation lands lying generally on the westerly shore, and under the waters of, Lake Havasu. At Lake Havasu, Reclamation owns all lands below 450 feet above mean sea level - the nominal maximum pool elevation of Lake Havasu, Reclamation's normal policy is to retain control over an operational zone extending 300 feet upland from the high water level of the reservoir. Via letter dated, July 28, 1999, Reclamation informed the Bureau of Land Management that it was of the opinion that it would be inappropriate to transfer ownership to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. In Reclamation's latest letter, dated April 20,2000, it is requesting that their letter of July 28, 1999, be amended to require the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe to agree to indemnify and hold harmless the United States, its employees, agents, and assignees from any loss or damage whatsoever in nature resulting from the fluctuation of the water surface elevation of Lake Havasu, whether as a result of fluctuating water levels, wave action, seepage, flooding, or bank sloughing. Colorado River Endangered SDecies As you recall, at the last Board meeting a motion was approved to support Assembly Bill 2795, This bill would provide the California fish and Game Commission the authority to issue incidental take permits for California designated fully protected species. This bill has since been amended to include only one species (the blunt nose leopard lizard) and does not provide incidental take authority for species under consideration in the Lower Colorado Multi-Species Conservation Program, On May 4'" I attended a meeting of legislative representatives and bill proponents to attempt to develop a consensus solution to the problem so that incidental take permits can be issued for species under consideration by the LCR MSCP. During the meeting there was a general discussion of the purpose of the legislation and the desires to broaden its application, 4