Upper Colorado Region

In July 1994, Reclamation and the NMDGF signed a new lease agreement to administer, develop, operate, and maintain the Seven Rivers and Karr Farms areas. From 1994 to 2010, Reclamation and the NMDGF operated under a 50:50 cost share agreement. In 2010, the NMDGF could no longer maintain their portion of the cost share. Legal review by Reclamation revealed that the authority for the previous lease agreement was inappropriate and could not be used to extend or create a new agreement. In 2011, Reclamation renewed its original effort to fulfill Brantley Project wildlife mitigation commitments by considering the transfer of some or all mitigation land, water rights, and other resources to the NMDGF under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act..