Michael Vandevelde of the Bureau of Reclamation will show a brief video called “One Drop at a Time” about the Drop 2 Storage Reservoir, a water conservation project currently under construction. The reservoir, with a capacity of 8,000 acre-feet, is designed to store flows that are not currently captured in the lower Colorado River system. The video will explain the purpose of the project, funding sources, and benefits. Mr. Vandevelde will then give an update on Drop 2 construction. He will illustrate the major features of the facility and show some of the major construction tasks, such as placing a large steel drain under Interstate 8.

Miguel Figueroa, Executive Director of the Calexico New River Committee, will give a presentation about the New River Improvement Project, authorized by California legislation to study, monitor, remediate, and enhance New River water quality in Imperial County to protect human health and develop a river parkway suitable for public use and enjoyment. The Calexico New River Committee believes its work and the New River Improvement Project will help transform the New River in Calexico to an attractive community asset that will protect public health and the environment while fostering local economic development. The New River, which flows north into Calexico from Mexico, has a history of
poor water quality.

Bruce Wilcox of the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) will discuss efforts underway to mitigate and provide for the conservation of wildlife species and associated habitat that may be impacted by the Quantification Settlement Agreement, one of the largest agricultural to urban water transfers in the United States. As part of that transfer, IID is responsible for implementing mitigation measures. IID will
provide an update on the status of the various mitigation and conservation measures either underway or
planned for the project. The measures include air quality mitigation, creation of wetland and riparian
habitat, and ongoing studies and surveys to inform future mitigation efforts.

The Colorado River Citizens Forum Board is comprised of nine residents of Southern Arizona
and Imperial County, California who represent diverse interests in the region. The board holds quarterly
public meetings in the area.

A complete meeting agenda follows. Members of the public who would like more information about the meeting may contact the USIBWC’s Yuma Office at 928-782-1598 or Public Affairs Officer Sally Spener at 915-832-4175 or via email at sallyspener@ibwc.gov.

Contact:
Sally Spener
915-832-4175
sallyspener@ibwc.gov