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<br />/(:1':-, <br />\",) <br /> <br />'.--\ <br /> <br />Agenda Item llb <br />May 8. 1990 <br /> <br />some length to castigate the department for "suppressing the <br />truth" to the detriment of the crown jewel of the national park <br />system. <br /> <br />The rest of the hearing basically went downhill. At the <br />end. Congressman Miller recessed. rather than adjourned. the <br />hearing and again pressed the point that he would insist that <br />the department come back at a later date with such witnesses as <br />he requested. As of the writing of this memo. I am advised <br />that the department has not responded to Congressman Miller. <br /> <br />In the midst of this. I had the distinct privilege (?) of <br />being the witness on the behalf of the Seven Basin Statesl A <br />copy of the oral remarks which I made to the committee is <br />enclosed. <br /> <br />Operation of Glen Canvon Dam <br /> <br />The current operation of Glen Canyon Dam is essentially a <br />twofold procedure. First. the monthly and annual volumes of <br />water to be stored and released are determined based upon water <br />supply considerations and water delivery requirements. and to <br />some extent on seasonal power needs. These determinations are <br />governed by section 602 of the Colorado River Basin Project Act <br />of 1968 and by the "Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range <br />Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs" (the "Coordinated. <br />Long-Range Operating Criteria") promulgated pursuant thereto. <br /> <br />Second. given the monthly volume of water to be released. <br />within-the-month (i.e.. daily and weekly) fluctuations in <br />release patterns are determined by peaking power needs. While <br />the operational parameters for fluctuating hydropower releases <br />are specifically fixed (i.e.. there are prescribed minimum <br />flows. maximum flows. and rates of change for increasing or <br />decreasing releases). power operations are not the subject of <br />formally promulgated operating criteria and are not addressed <br />by section 602 of the 1968 Act or by the "Coordinated. <br />Long-Range Operating Criteria." Section 7 of the CRSP Act does <br />specify that he CRSP hydroelectric power plants and <br />transmission lines shall be operated so as to produce the <br />greatest practicable amount of energy. <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />From a water user perspective. the annual and monthly <br />operations are the items of interest. In terms of water <br />deliveries. it makes no difference what the within-the-month <br />.fluctuations for power releases are so long as the required <br />monthly volumes are not violated. <br /> <br />-4- <br />