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Recommendations: Continue to fund and pursue study activities as identified in the FY 96 Scope-of-Work. CAP 12 COLLBRAN OPERATIONS The Collbran Project was examined as a potential SOUfce of water supply for flow enhancement in the IS-Mile Reach of the Colorado River as part of an ongoing Bureau of Reclamation Investigation of Existing Projects (IEP) Study. Recovery Program funding has supplemented other Reclamation funding for this effort. The study examined ways to operate and maintain the Collbran Project power facilities in the most cost effective & environmentally sensitive manner. Water released from the Lower Molina Powerplant after power generation could be used for flow enhancement to benefit endangered fish. The findings and alternatives described in the report indicate that an average of approximately 3,200 acre-feet could be contracted for delivery to the IS-Mile Reach. An application for a new water right in Vega Reservoir was filed in December 1993 to give Reclamation the ability to sell the exchange water released from Lower Molina powerplant for fish & wildlife or M&I purposes. Recommendations: Reclamation will continue to pursue resolution ofwatef right issues through a negotiated settlement process using other funding mechanisms and carry over FY 9S Recovery Program funds. No FY 96 Recovery Program funding is being sought. CAPl3 SILT OPERATIONS The Silt Project is being examined as a potential source of water for flow enhancement in the IS-Mile Reach of the Colorado River as part of an ongoing Bureau of Reclamation Investigati(j)n of Existing Projects (IEP) Study. Recovery Program funding has supplemented other Reclamation funding for this effort. Numerous options to solve a variety of water resources problems are being analyzed. Several options would provide a higher late-season recreational pool in Rifle Gap Reserv.oir with the water then potentially being available for release to the I S-Mile Reach during the low- flow period of September and October (beginning aftef the end of the high-use recreation period). Ifpromising options which would benefit endangered fishes are identified during this appraisal, more detailed feasibility investigations will be initiated. A collaborative approach is underway with the Silt Water Conservancy District, non- Project water users and other potentially affected interests. Recommendations: The Recovery Program should continue to support collaborative planning efforts with local water users and potentially affected parties to facilitate solving the endangered fish problem and other problems. Recovery Program funding is not planned for this study in FY-96; funding has been obtained from other Reclamation sources (IEP), A-3