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<br />002323 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Colorado River Endangered Soecies <br /> <br />The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Steering Committee met <br />on March 23'd and approved membership of Quads tate County Government Coalition to the Steering <br />Committee. The Coalition will represent Imperial and San Bernardino Counties in California and <br />Mohave County in Arizona. <br /> <br />The 60-Day Notices ofIntent to sue Reclamation and other federal agencies regarding the <br />effects of Reclamation's operation of Hoover Dam on the Virgin River southwestern willow <br />flycatcher population and its operations of Hoover Dam on the Lower Colorado River will be <br />discussed in Executive Session. As you recall, at the March 15'h Board meeting, you passed a <br />resolution requesting assistance from the California Attorney General's Office regarding this issue. <br />Included in the Board folder, is a copy of a letter from the Attorney Generals Office assigning <br />Mr. Linus Masouredis, Mr. Douglas Noble and Ms. Sylvia Hale to the matter. <br /> <br />Also included in the Board folder is a copy of Assembly Bill AB 2795 introduced by <br />Assemblyperson Florez. This bill would provide the California Department ofFish and Game, and <br />the Fish and Game Commission the authority to issue an incidental take permit for fully protected <br />species. Under current law, incidental take authorizations may only be issued by the Department or <br />the Commission for California listed endangered species if the take is associated with an approved <br />habitat conservation plan. However, under current law, an incidental take permit may not be issued <br />for fully protected species, many of which are also listed as endangered. AB 2795 would remove <br />this restriction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the authority to issue incidental take penn its <br />for federally listed endangered species. This bill would make California law consistent with federal <br />law. <br /> <br />Two California fully protected species, the razorback sucker and yuma clapper rail, are being <br />considered in the LCR MSCP plan. Passage of AB 2795 would assure consistency regarding how <br />these species are treated under both the state and federal regulations. Included in the handout <br />material for the Board's consideration is a draft motion expressing the Board's support for passage <br />of AB 2795, or similar legislation. <br /> <br />Lower Colorado Water Suoolv Proiect <br /> <br />Last month, I received a phone call from Mr. Vic Peloquin of the Azlon Corporation <br />concerning the status of implementing the Lower Colorado Water Supply Project (Project). <br />Mr. Peloquin has been in contact with CRB for more than ten years attempting to secure water for <br />an SO-acre development he is planning at Lake Havasu Landing. <br /> <br />He was informed that there are four hurdles that must be overcome before the Project will <br />be available to those who do not have water contracts with the federal govemment, but who have <br />been diverting or desire to divert Colorado River water: I) the "accounting surface" must be <br />finalized, 2) quantification of the City of Needles , Phase I Project water must be resolved, 3) Needles <br />must amend its contract to include subcontracting with eligible entities in Imperial and Riverside <br />Counties in addition to San Bernardino County; and 4) all potential recipients must be notified of <br />the availability of Project water. <br /> <br />5 <br />