Basin States' Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement, CO River Interim guidelines for Lower Basin Shrotages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead

Home Browse Search

The States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming Governors' Representatives on Colorado River Operations April 30, 2007 Honarable Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary Department of the Interior I849 C. Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20240 Re: Basin States' Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Colorado River Interim Gacidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead Dear Secretary Kempthorne: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Colorado River Interim Gacidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead (72 Fed. Reg. 9,026) (Feb. 2$, 2007) {hereinafter "DEIS"). The Basin States emphasize that the Basin States' Alternative best meets critical elements of the puzpose and need statement articulated in the DEIS. Tt does so by giving water managers the certainty to engage in meaningful long-range planning while also promulgating programs to increase operational and resource management flexibility on the River. This is particularly important given the impacts of the drought on the Colorado River system over the last seven years and the uncertain hydrology going forward. Thus, the Basin States strongly encourage you to select the Basin States' Alternative analyzed in the DEIS, together with the modifications outlined in this letter and the included attachments (`Basin States' Proposal"), as the preferred alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement {"PETS") and the selected. action in the Record of Decision ("ROD"). Basin States' Prouosal The Basin States have made tremendous progress over the last two years in setting aside contentious issues and reaching agreements regarding operation of the Colorado River system reservoirs. Since the Basin States originally forwarded a Preliminary Proposal and draft Seven States' Agreement to your predecessor on February 3, 2006 {"Preliminary Proposal"), the Basin States have finalized a number of agreements and proposals. These documents, which are described in detail below, incorporate and give further definition to each of the elements of the Preliminary Proposal and the Basin States' Alternative in the DEIS. The Basin States believe that if all material terms of the Basin States' Proposal are included in the ROD, it will establish the first comprehensive set of detailed operating guidelines in the history of the Colorado River.