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15 I. Response: See response to Comments No.1 and 2. Comment No.8 - (Letter No.2): The Quechan Tribe requests that Reclamation comply with the National Environmental Policy Act if it (1) modifies the Operating Criteria or (2) determines that application of the Operating Criteria has or will have significant adverse. effects (short- or long-term) on the environment, the tribe's water rights, or the Fort Yuma Reservation. Response: Reclamation complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) with respect to its activities. In the past, Reclamation elected to utilize its NEP A process to evaluate the five-year review process and any proposed changes. The Department is making a number of changes to the Operating Criteria through this notice that are editorial in nature. These changes fall into several categories: a minor textural addition, textural clarification of facts, and deletions of text referring to operational requirements and/or other events completed in the past. All ofthese editorial changes are administrative in nature and their implementation would not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment or tribal resources. Reclamation has completed a Categorical Exclusion checklist supporting a Departmental Categorical Exclusion for this action. Comment No.9 - (Letter No.3): If there is no Quantification Settlement Agreement, Reclamation should review the Operating Criteria to better achieve the purposes of the 1922 Colorado River Compact. Response: The Department of the Interior and the California entities completed the Quantification Settlement Agreement on October. 10, 2003. Comment No. 10- (Letter No.4): National Park protection should be one of the factors considered in development of the annual plan of operation (Article 1(2)), including provisions for any experimental flows necessary to meet the purposes of the Grand Canyon Protection Act. Response: Article I of the Operating Criteria concerns t4e Annual Report. In Article 1(2) it states: "The plan of operation shall include such detailed rules and quantities as may be necessary and consistent with the criteria contained herein, and shall reflect appropriate consideration of the uses of the reservoirs for all purposes, including flood control, river regulation, beneficial consumptive uses, power production, water quality control, recreation, enhancement of fish and wildlife, and other environmental factors." Because the Operating Criteria are "administered consistent with applicable Federal laws" (which include the Grand Canyon Protection Act), National Park protection is already currently considered in the annual plan of operation under the existing Operating Criteria. See introductory paragraph of Operating Criteria. Moreover, Reclamation has promulgated Glen Canyon Operating Criteria (and operating plans) pursuant to the requirements of 99 1804(b) and (c) ofthe Grand Canyon Protection Act that specifically address the