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e . . National Park. The alternative dam operations to be examined will range from those that emphllllize the potential to conserve and maintain the downstream resources to those that emphasize peaking powsr. The EIS will identify and quantify, to the fullest extent pOBBible, the benefits, values, and application Df the dam and the resources affected by the dam, including, but not limited to, water supply, water quality, recreation, cultural resources, hydroelectric power generation, and fish and wildlife including threatened and endangered Bpecies, in light of the statutory responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary). The focus of the EIS iB to evaluate alternative operations of the dam. In addition, other mitigation measures may be identified to minimize impacts to resources of concern. Alternative dam operations and potential structural and institutional mitigation mellllures will be considered to formulate the range of reasonable alternatives. Alternative dam operations may result in ofFsite cumulative impacts. Given the best available information, the magnitude of these impacts will be identified so that the Secretary is informed of the consequences and options available to address these issues. LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT The physical area defined for the focus of the EIS is from Glen Canyon Dam downstream 255 river miles to Separation Canyon on the Colorado River near the inflow to Lake Mead. All but about 15 miles of this area is within Grand Canyon National Park. Also involved are portions of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Indian reservation lands (see map on next page). Although the major focus is the canyon reach described above, certain alternatives may involve areas outside the immediate geographic area. Also, the EIS analysiB will trace impacts to wherever they may occur. RELATIONSHIP OF GeES AND THE EIS A final report of the GeES Wllll completed in January 1988. FollDwing its completion, review, and consideration by the involved agencies, the N atiDnal Academy of Sciences, and the Department of the Interior (DOl), the Secrstary of the Interior directed additional studies to more completely define research findings and to include the full component of considerations relative to power production and water conBervation. This secDnd effort, called GeES Phase II, is intended to provide additional information to allow a decision regarding the operation of Glen Canyon Dam. While conducting these Phase II studies, on July 27, 1989, the Secretary announced that Reclamation would prepare the Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement (GeD-EISl to con Bider alternatives to the operation of the dam as it affects the downstream ecological and environmental resources. (See appendix 1). An additional principal purpOBe of the GeES, at this point, is to provide input to the EIS. Most of the research conducted or underway will facilitate the ability to describe the exiBting environment and the impactB of EIS alternatives on that environment. The original timing was for a 4- to 6-year effort in GeES Phase II. With the Secretary's July 1989 announcement, however, it became clear that the GeES Phase II effort would need to be condensed if it were to be effective in producing information for the EIS. Concern over shortening the research period has been expressed. In establishing the time frame for the EIS, the discussion centered on the conflict between the need for thorough (lengthy) research to completely answer the outstanding questions, the question of interim flows, and the need to complete the NEPA 2