WSP09841 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . the other Colorado River Basin states' representatives and other stakeholders concerning the 2000 Annual Operating Plan for the Colorado River Reservoir System (2000 AOP). It was Reclamation's recornrnendation that the 2000 AOP contain the same determinations as the 1999 AOP, that is: Hoover Dam would be operated under a surplus condition; any Lower Division state would be allowed to use water apportioned to, but unused, by the other Lower Division states; Mexico would be allowed to schedule the delivery of 1.7 maf, a surplus declaration; and since storage in the Upper Basin reservoirs is above the 602(a) storage requirement, the equalization of storage in Lakes Powell and Mead and the avoidance of spills would govern releases at Glen Canyon Dam. During the meeting there were no comments regarding these Secretarial determinations; only a few minor editorial comments were suggested. Reclamation representatives indicated that the 2000 AOP would be finalized after the end of the water year, September 30, 1999, and published as Reclamation's 29'" Annual Report and year 2000 Annual Operating Plan for the Colorado River System Reservoirs. On August 5"', I along with Mr. Hannigan met with Cornrnissioner Bernal of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to discuss the All-American Canal Lining Project and IBWC's upcoming consultations with Mexico regarding that Project. During the meeting it was determined that Mr. Bernal did not need any written correspondence from California until after he had met with his counterparts in Mexico. The appropriate Board action will be discussed at a future Board meeting. On August 16, 1999, Reclamation consulted, via a conference call, with representatives of the Colorado River Basin states on evacuating space in Lake Mead above that required by the flood control regulations. The purposes for the additional release of water were: I) reduce the probability of having a flood control mandated release from Lake Mead in January of2000 that which would be above 19,000 cfs; 2) allow the Cibola Dredge to be floated two miles upstream from its current location in order to begin dredging the sediment plug above Morelos Dam; and 3) provide dilution water for offsetting the increased salinity that will result from the repair of the Main Outfall Drain Extension (MODE) between November 8th to December 8,1999. The total volume of water expected to be released is 200,000 acre-feet, increasing the expected vacant space in the System reservoirs on January 1,2000, from 5.8 mafto 6.0 maf. The release of the 200,000 acre-feet of water will be split between September and November of this year. Reclamation's representatives indicated that they would further consult the Basin states regarding the release of this water, as conditions may change. During the conference call, there was no expressed objection to Reclamation's proposal. I indicated that California would expect that this release will not atTect any decisions regarding a declaration of a surplus condition in future AOPs. A copy of the Reclamation's News Release is included in the Board folder. Included in the Board folder for your information is an August 24, 1999 Reclamation news release having the headline "Bureau of Reclamation Ready for Year 2000". Also included in the Board folder are copies of two Federal Register notices, dated July 30, 1999 and August 26, 1999, issued by the Department of the Interior announcing its intent to undertake an environmental review to restructure Central Arizona Project (CAP) contracts from agriculture to M&I and Indian use. The August 26'h notice announces three scoping meetings that will be held to obtain comments on issues that should be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 2