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1998 report 10 the RIo Grande Compact Commission Bureau of Reclamation ~~I .,cl .: informal portion of the section 7 consultation process. A copy of the biological assessment was also distributed to stakeholders. To date, no Biological Opinion has been receive from the Service. > Cooperative Program with the State of New Mexico ;.' Reclamation cooperates with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) on water salvage and drain improvement efforts. During 1998, the NMISC provided funds to Reclamation to support designs for construction, and miscellaneous maintenance work related to these efforts. ':.:j In 1998, Reclamation rebuilt the Drain Unit 7 culvert under the Rio Salado in cooperation with the NMISC. The 750-foot, 96-inch diameter corrugated metal pipe culvert collapsed in late November 1997. The Drain Unit 7 earth-lined canal also breached approximately 1,000 ft upstream of the culvert. Design work on a turnout outlet from Drain Unit 7 into the Rio Grande just upstream of San Acacia Diversion Dam was begun with construction scheduled to be completed in 1999. Also, design work repairing the outfall pipe for Elmendorf Drain into the Low Flow Conveyance Channel (LFCC) has been completed. Also during 1998, Reclamation performed vegetation mowing along Drain Unit 7, Escondida Drain, LFCC, La Joya Drain and Elmendorf Drain. ~:.I \:: :;;: ~~~ k Low Flow Conveyance Channel (LFCC) Investigations i:,;:, ~.j Reclamation is completing a comprehensive study of the Rio Grande Floodway and the LFCC system between San Acacia Diversion Dam and Elephant Butte Reservoir. In recent years, increased streamflow in the Rio Grande and continuing sediment deposition have put the existing system under great stress, especially in the reach below San Marcial. Diversions to the LFCC have been suspended since 1985 due to high reservoir levels at Elephant Butte and sediment deposition in the headwaters area. ~~ . ~\~:, ;:_;. This study will result in a plan for configuring and operating the system for continuing water conservation benefits, maintaining system elements for effective valley drainage, and minimizing costs while considering environmental needs and the protection of endangered species and their habitats. A full range of river flow and reservoir level conditions will be analyzed. Management of the heavy sediment load of the Rio Grande is an especially important consideration. Major facets of the study will include geomorphic, hydrologic, and biologic investigations. The study will consolidate and incorporate engineering and biological studies currently on-going under the Middle Rio Grande Project program. The NMISC is providing cost sharing and in-kind support for mapping and sediment modeling studies. .. ~~ ~f:~ .4':. ,-:. .-,' , ~.~~., .~: ' r'.' (,-~, ::;.! Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be integrated with these planning studies. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register in December 1996. Public meetings were held in Albuquerque and Socorro in January 1997 and February 1998. -14- ,I . I ....1 I