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APPENDIX 1 ,~ DBPaaTMBNT Df the INTBRIDR - SECRETARY Steve GOldstJleW~orllll,e For Release: July 27, 1989 (H) 202-887-5248 INTERIOR SECRETARY LUJAN DIRECTS BUREAU OF REC~~TION TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL Il1PACT STATEMENT OF GLEN CANYON DAM OPERATIONS Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan announces today that, he is direct~ng the Bureau of Reclamation to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determ~ne the impact of operations of t~e G:en Canyon Jam on "he downstream ecological and environmental resources within the Grand Canyon National Park and the Glen Canyon National Recrea"ion Area. . "It is time to gather the facts about this issue, to g~ve all interes"ed parties a chance to explain their positions, and to do so in full view of the American people, states Lujan. The Department will use the EIS to comply with statutory requirements to produce hydropower, and to protect the Park's and the Recreation Area's resources for the enjoyment of future generations." The dam is located on the Colorado River, near the Arizona-Utah border, within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is approximately 15 miles upstream from Grand Canyon National Park. Lake Powell, the key feature of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is located behind the Dam. 7he National Park Serv~ce operates both areas, while the Bureau of ?eclama"ion is respons~ble for the Dam. 30th bureaus are '.'n~in the ~epart~ent of the Inter~or. ~hese bureaus, along with the Fish and Wildlife Serv~ce and the Western Area Power Administration have been sponsoring studies tC determine whether the Dam's operations could be affecting the Park and its immediate environment, including the habitat for the humpback chub -- an endangered spec~es. The studies will be continued and can now be b~~lt ~pon by initiating formal public ~nvolvement. The Secretary also noted that this issue is an example of an opport~nity to balance energy and environment needs. Juring ~ne past year, Slen Canyon Dam produced over 4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, or the equivalent of about 6.7 million barrels 0: oil. This power ~s produced without any air pollution. . 7he Secretary made his decision after achieving a consensus recommendation from the Acting Assistant Secretaries for ;';ater and Science and Fish and wildlife and Parks. He also consulted with reoresentatives of the Colorado River Basin States, power users, the env~rcnmental community and Members of Congress. -DOI- 16