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<br />D0238G <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Lobbyists and legislative liaisons representing several MSCP Steering Committee <br />participating agencies met in Washington, D.C. with the MSCP Pilot Project Manager and agency <br />staff, including myself, on March 28, 200 I. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed <br />MSCP Pilot Project Legislative package and to develop an appropriate legislative strategy for this J-- <br />session of Congress. The briefing packet utilized at the meeting has been included in the Board , ~ <br />folder. It was the recommendation of the lobbyists that the pilot project list be trimmed from eight <br />projects to three or four. This had the effect of reducing the requested funding amount from about <br />$60,000,000 to approximately $15,000,000. The pilot projects being advanced include the <br />following: <br /> <br />. Colorado River Indian Tribes Ahakhav and Deertail Backwater Restoration Project <br /> <br />This project would restore and maintain about 1,500 acres of native aquatic, wetland, and <br />riparian habitats along the Lower Colorado River south of Parker, Arizona. The funding <br />request of $2,500.000 to $3,000,000 would cover much of this restoration effort. <br /> <br />. MSCP Habitat Conservation and Implementation Planning & Data Acquisition Project <br /> <br />This pilot project has identified several critically needed planning efforts which provide <br />additional data and information necessary for completion of the MSCP conservation <br />strategy. Additionally. this effort would provide funds to augment the current MSCP <br />plan-development budget and assist in the preparation of an NCCP under California Fish <br />and Game Code. Approximately $3,000,000 is requested for these efforts. <br /> <br />Virgin River Land Acquisition and Habitat Restoration Project <br /> <br />This pilot project would fund the acquisition of key parcels of land along the lower <br />Virgin River in Nevada. These parcels would be managed, on behalf of the MSCP, to <br />benefit native riparian habitat and endangered species. It is estimated that approximately <br />$7,000,000 is required for this acquisition and restoration effort. <br /> <br />More detailed descriptions of each of these proposed pilot projects, in the form of testimony <br />to appropriations committees, are being prepared. Meetings are being scheduled among principals, <br />representing the non-federal agencies participating in the MSCP, in order to ensure a fully-supported <br />and coordinated lobbying effort on behalf of the MSCP Pilot Project effort. <br /> <br />Other potential pilot projects have been identified and scoped-out, in the event that one or <br />more of the primary projects are significantly reduced in magnitude or dropped altogether. These <br />projects include a restoration project near Yuma, Arizona; habitat restoration on an Arizona Game <br />& Fish Department parcel south of Bullhead City, Arizona; and retro-fitting an existing Arizona <br />Ganle & Fish Department fish hatchery facility. <br /> <br />Additionally, the Pilot Project Manager, Mr. Greg Taylor, and Mr. Harris met with CRIT <br />Tribal Chairman Daniel Eddy and his staff in Parker, Arizona, on April 4, 2001. The purpose ofthe <br />meeting was to more fully discuss the Washington, D.C. legislative strategy meeting and obtain <br />additional information on the proposed CRIT restoration project. <br /> <br />5 <br />