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

• Year: 2007
• Title: 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
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Description: 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
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

Mead to fall below 1000 feet. Upon such a determination, the Secretary
shall consult with the Basin States to discuss further measures that may be
undertaken. If increased reductions are required, the Secretary shall
implement the reductions consistent with the law of the river.
4. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.D.3, the Lower Division States shall
not take shortages in excess of those provided in Section 4.D.1 Arizona
and Nevada have agreed to share all reductions, described in Section 4.D.1
based on the Arizona-Nevada Shortage Sharing Agreement dated February
9, 2007. California shall not be required to share in any reductions
described in Section 4.D.1.
5. The Secretary shall consult with the Basin States to evaluate actions at
critical elevations that may avoid shortage determinations as reservoir
elevations approach critical thresholds.
6. During declared Shortages described in Section 4.D.1, the Secretary may
release Developed Shortage Supply, subject to the provisions in Sections 5
and 6.
Section 5. System Efficiency, Extraordinary Conservation, Tributary Conservation and
Importation of Non-Colorado River System Water for the Purpose of
Developing Intentionally Created Surplus
A. Findings
ICS may be created through projects that create water system efficiency, extraordinary
conservation, tributary conservation, and the importation of non-Colorado River
System water into the Colorado River Mainstream. ICS is consistent with the concept
that the States will take actions to augment storage of water in the Lower Colorado
River Basin. The ICS shall be released to the Contractor that created it pursuant to
both Article II(B)(2) of the Consolidated Decree and agreements among various
Contractors to forbear from taking water that they otherwise would be able to request.
Implementation under these Guidelines shall be predicated upon the execution of a
Forbearance Agreement and a Delivery Agreement, as further provided for below.
B. Purposes
The purposes of ICS are to:
Encourage the efficient use and management of Colorado River water, and to
increase the water supply in Colorado River system reservoirs, through the
creation, release, and use of ICS;
2. Help avoid shortages to the Lower Basin;
3. Benefit both Lake Mead and Lake Powell;
4. Increase the surface elevations of both Lakes Powell and Mead to higher levels
than would have otherwise occurred; and
10