The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead

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Interim Guidelines for the Operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead • 399 acres of backwater habitat. To address these impacts, the LCR MSCP will: • restore 5,940 acres of cottonwood-willow habitat; • restore 512 acres of marsh habitat; • restore 360 acres of backwater habitat; • stock 660,000 razorback sucker over the term of the LCR MSCP; and • stock 620,000 bonytail over the term of the LCR MSCP. In addition, these habitats will be actively managed to provide habitat values greater than those of the impacted habitats. While the LCR MSCP is geared toward special status species, it is important to understand that all species that use the habitats impacted by the LCR MSCP covered activities benefit by the conservation actions currently being carried out under the LCR MSCP. Reclamation has reviewed the effects of the Preferred Alternative in this Final EIS and has determined that all potential effects to listed species and their habitats along the Colorado River from the full pool elevation of Lake Mead to the SIB are covered by the LCR MSCP. FWS has concurred with Reclamation's determination in a letter dated November 28, 2007. B. Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program The 1996 Glen Canyon Dam ROD describes detailed criteria and operating plans for Glen Canyon Dam operations and includes other management actions to accomplish this objective; among these are the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (AMP). The AMP provides a process for assessing the effects of Glen Canyon Dam operations on downstream resources and project benefits. The results of that assessment are used to develop recommendations for modifying Glen Canyon Dam operations and other resource management actions. This is accomplished through the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), a federal advisory committee. The AMWG consists of stakeholders that include federal and state agencies, representatives of the Basin States, Indian tribes, hydroelectric power customers, environmental and conservation organizations, and recreational and other interest groups. C. Endangered Species Act Compliance In compliance with the ESA, Reclamation submitted a Biological Assessment (BA) to FWS on September 10, 2007 and requested formal consultation on the Preferred December 2007 ROD -Colorado River Interim Guidelines for 18 Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead