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o 0) 00 The Water Resource Library proposal is moving in a positive direction with the acquiring of space a.:) across the street soon to be finalized. Colorado River Issues: We attended and represented Colorado at several rneetings concerning the Colorado River on issues involving the "Spike Flow Release", Annual Operating Plan, and Upper Colorado River Basin Commission. A brief discussion and update covering these meetings are as follows: We continue to resist the U.S. Bureau's intention to go forward on the "Spike Flow" release from Glen Canyon and a mcmo is enclosed outlining the issues and status in detail. We have completed the Annual Operation Plan for 1995 with the U.S.B.R. and the Seven Basin States. The goal of the operating plan is to meet the delivery requirements in the Lower Basin and to operate the system in an efficient manner. There is always controversy surrounding amounts to be used in the basin and the definition of shortage or surplus supplies. All of these issues have been resolved for another year and deliveries from Glen Canyon will not exceed 8.23 MAF.' Uses in the Lower Basin will be close to 7.5 MAF, or may slightly be exceeded. If they are exceeded we will need to resolve how the Lower Basin is to account for and replace overuseage. At the Upper Colorado River Basin Commission meeting discussions were particularly focused on the impact of designation of Critical Habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is not clear as to how they plan to handle reconsultation on existing projects, and we need to stay involved in the process. In one instance we are hearing that the recovery plan will help offset depletions, but there appears to be uncertainty from staff of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife as to the procedure. We will need to place this issue on a future agenda and request reports from officials of the Service. South Platte River: Meetings are being held between the states of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska as a result of the recently signed M.O.U. to address endangered species issues on the South Platte River. We have enclosed copies of the MOU and associated letters concerning the issue. The State Engineer has been actively involved and hopefully he will have time to further brief the Board during his report. Arkansas River: Governor Romer has signed the Executive Order creating the Arkansas River Advisory and Coordinating Committee and appointed representatives. We plan to hold the first meeting on September 22, 1994 in the Arkansas River Basin and further details will be announced (Executive Order and members enclosed). Animas-La Plata Proiect Activities: Recently two issues were raised concerning the Animas-La Plata Project; first, the Inspector General released a report that was critical of the economics of the project, and secondly, the amount of funds being included in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Budget for 1996 with regard to construction need to insure that adequate construction actions are begun as soon as possible after the record of decision concerning the supplemental EIS is completed. We have participated in meetings with project sponsors covering both of these issues and are reviewing the I G' s report as well as drafting a letter to the Secretary of Interior to encourage adequate budgeting of funds to begin construction.