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<br />Ou0828 <br /> <br />In addition, and perhaps more importantly, the Guidelines were adopted to allow: <br /> <br />"mainstream users of Colorado River water, ... a greater degree of predictability with <br />respect to the likely existence, or lack thereof, of surplus conditions on the river in a <br />given year.... The increased level of predictability with respect to the prospective <br />existence and quantity of surplus water would assist in planning and operations by all <br />entities that receive surplus Colorado River water pursuant to contracts with the <br />Secretary." <br /> <br />There's an old adage that "timing is everything." This was certainly true for adoption of <br />the Guidelines. Actual operating experience has shown us all that having those Guidelines in <br />place is far are more important in times of drought than in times of surplusN Without the <br />Guidelines in place, water users could not reliably predict available supplies in the years ahead. <br />Surely, no one today would argue that we would be better off if these decisions were made on an <br />ad hoc basis in each year's Annual Operating Plan process. Consider that efforts by <br />Reclamation to adopt the Guidelines were begun - with full reservoir conditions - just 5 years <br />ago. Today, a mere 40 months after adoption, we have tested and applied all of the Guidelines' <br />key provisions. <br /> <br />The lesson of the Interim Surplus Guidelines is that management of the Colorado River is <br />best undertaken before a crisis develops. <br /> <br />thereof. ofsurolus conditions on the river in a given vear. Adoption of the interim surplus <br />guidelines is intended to recognize California's plan to reduce reliance on surplus deliveries, to <br />assist California in moving toward its allocated share of Colorado River water, and to avoid <br />hindering such efforts. Implementation of interim surplus guidelines would take into account <br />progress, or lack thereof, in California's efforts to achieve these objectives. The surplus guidelines <br />would be used to identify the specific amount of surplus water which may be made available in a <br />given year, based upon factors such as the elevation of Lake Mead, during a period within which <br />demand for surplus Colorado River water will be reduced. The increased level of predictability <br />with respect to the prospective existence and auantitv of sumlus water would assist in planninl! <br />and operations bv all entities that receive surolus Colorado River water oursuant to contracts with <br />the Secretarv." <br /> <br />Interim Surplus Guidelines, Record of Decision, 66 Fed. Reg. 7772, 7774 (Jan. 25, 2001) (emphasis added). <br /> <br />6 Secretary Norton addressed this issue in her remarks to the Colorado River Water Users Association in December <br />2003: <br /> <br />"Some may ask whether elimination of surplus under the Interim Surplus Guidelines <br />negates the importance and significance of the Colorado River Water Delivery Agreement and the <br />Quantification Settlement Agreement. <br />To the contrary, the primary purpose ofthe Interim Surplus Guidelines was to establish <br />predictable, objective bases for declarations of surplus conditions - especially at times when <br />reservoirs are falling." <br /> <br />Remarks of Secretary Gale A. Norton, at 4 (Dec. 11,2003). <br /> <br />Prepared Remarks - Keynote Address <br />Law of the Colorado River <br /> <br />Page 6 of 8 <br />