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<br />This element of the RPA cannot be considered delinquent considering that the time of <br />implementation is April, 1998, it is not an 8.23 maf year, the high flow portion of this <br />element has been completed, and considerable progress toward achieving low flows has <br />occurred. This element of the biological opinion is ongoing. <br /> <br />1.8 - Selective Withdrawal Program for Lake Powell <br /> <br />Reclamation selected Mr. Dave Truman to manage the effort of investigating the feasibility of a <br />selective withdrawal program. Funding has been programmed to continue working toward a <br />decision regarding selective withdrawal. <br /> <br />Initial scoping identified the need for certain studies. These studies have been completed and <br />the reports are being distributed. They are: (1) a Value Planning Study which screened <br />altematives available to control temperatures; (2) a Feasibility Study which evaluated the cost of <br />three altematives for temperature control, and (3) a study of benthic ecology, which includes an <br />evaluation of warmer water on Gammarus, <br /> <br />The cost to construct a traditional selective withdrawal device was estimated to be between $40 <br />million & $150 million. Give the uncertainties of the effects of such a device on native-nonnative <br />interactions, parasite populations, and other potential effects on native fish, and the need to <br />justify this large expense to congress when seeking appropriations, the Value Planning Study <br />was conducted, An experimental design for modifying the penstock intakes has been developed <br />with an estimated cost of $15 million. Preparation of an environmental assessment is scheduled <br />to begin in fiscal year 1998. <br /> <br />Reclamation is continuing to develop a computer model of the reservoir and model for the river, <br />To expedite the process, Reclamation's Technical Service Center is beginning the 2-year <br />process to prepare designs and a bid package in the event this altemative is selected. <br />Reclamation is working to secure funding through direct appropriations from Congress beginning <br />with the Fiscal Year 2000 budget. <br /> <br />This element is Ongoing. Actions to complete this item have been accelerated, and it is <br />several years ahead of the schedule originally presented to the Transition Work Group. <br /> <br />1.C - Determine responses of native fish to various temperature regimes and river flows <br />(future research program) <br /> <br />The contracts for certain fish studies which were on-going upon completion of the EIS were <br />renewed to preserve a long term data base, avoiding gaps in the data. A large amount of <br />research was conducted during the experimental flow as well. Future research and long term <br />monitoring will be conducted through the GCMRC which has begun funding research for fiscal <br />year 1998. As mentioned earlier, the GCMRC staff has developed long term and annual <br />research and monitoring plans. Funds have been budgeted to complete the work. <br /> <br />This element is ongoing <br /> <br />2 - Protect humpback chub population and habitat in LCR by being instrumental in <br />developing of a management plan. <br />