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F-4. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR EL RIO EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROJECT Approve Amendment No. 4 FCD 2004G001D General Agreement (Federal Cooperative Agreement #05FC320380) for the El Rio Educational Pilot Projects (Project) between the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District), which identifies the roles and responsibilities for the Project. This Amendment is an increase in the Reclamation’s direct Project contribution from $237,526 to $252,526. The terms of the Agreement remain unchanged and will expire on September 30, 2010. Salt cedar, also known as tamarisk, is an invasive exotic species growing throughout the Gila River in the El Rio Watercourse Master Plan (El Rio WCMP) study area. Removing salt cedar from the Gila River could improve the conveyance capacity for storm water and might reduce the size of the current 100-year floodplain. Removal of salt cedar or other vegetation within Waters of the United States (WUS) is considered a regulated activity and requires a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit. Although salt cedar can hinder flood flows, the salt cedar stands provide food and cover for insects, birds, mammals and reptiles. Replacing the removed salt cedar community with vegetation that is more hydraulically efficient and ecologically diverse would be appropriate and beneficial mitigation. Thus, the purpose of the Project is to establish effective techniques to replace salt cedar with vegetation that improves flood conveyance and biological diversity within the Gila River. This Project is located in Supervisory Districts 4 and 5. (C-69-05-132-3-04)