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

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operation matters and is part of a comprehensive arrangement between the two nations that incorporates, at a minimum, the material terms of the Basin States' Proposal. The Basin States stand ready to discuss this comprehensive arrangement. Colorado River Au mentation Pro'ects Implementation of projects to augment the long-term supply of the Colorado River is of utmost importance not only to the Basin States and the millions of people who live here, but to the nation as a whole. While no specific augmentation projects are included in the current Sasin States' Proposal, the need to develop a process to implement augmentation. projects must remain at the forefront of the Basin States' and Interior's agendas. Changes to existing or new federal regulations may be necessary to effectuate augmentation projects. The Preliminary Proposal outlined a concept for water users in Arizona, California, or Nevada to secure additional water supplies by funding the development of a non-Colorado River System water supply in one Lower Division State for use in another Lower Division State by exchange. Through the cooperation of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, similar arrangements could be established by which non-Colorado River System water supplies in Mexico could be developed far use in the United States by exchange. The Basin States view the inclusion in the DEIS of a quantitative analysis of the impacts to the Colorado River resulting from the implementation of future augmentation projects as a positive step and encourage you to include the same analysis in the FEIS in order to begin to establish the environmental compliance framework for future augmentation projects. Conclusion In closing, the Basin States thank you for your leadership and urge Interior to adopt a ROD that includes all of the material terms of the Basin States' Proposal.