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<br />2005 RESERVOIR OPERATIONS <br /> <br />The regulation ofthe Colorado River has had effects on downstream aquatic and riparian resources. <br />Controlled releases from dams have modified temperatUI'e, sediment load, and flow patterns, <br />resulting in increased productivity of some introduced aquatic resources and the development of <br />economically significant sport fisheries. However, these same releases have detrimental effects on <br />endangered and other native species. Operating strategies designed to protect and enhance <br />downstream aquatic and riparian resources have been established at several locations in the Colorado <br />River Basin. <br /> <br />In the Upper Basin, public stakeholder work groups hav~: been established at Fontenelle Dam, <br />Flaming Gorge Dam, the Aspinall Unit, Navajo Dam, and Glen Canyon Dam54) These work grOllPS <br />provide a public forum for information dissemination on ongoing and projected reservoir operations <br />throughout the year. These workgroups allow stakeholders the opportunity to provide infbrmation <br />and feedback on ongoing reservoir operations. . <br /> <br />Modifications to plaIUled operations may be made based on changes in forecast conditions or <br />other relevant factors. Due to the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish <br />Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery. <br />Program), Section 7 consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and other <br />downstream concerns, modification to the monthly operation plans may be based on other factors <br />in addition to changes in streamflow forecasts. Decisions on spring peak releases and <br />downstream habitat target flows may be made midway through the runoff season. Reclamation <br />will initiate meetings with the Fish and Wildlife Service, representatives ofthe Basin States, and <br />with public stakeholder work groups to facilitate the discussions necessary to finalize site:- <br />specific operations plans. <br /> <br />Reclamation completed Section 7 consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2002 on <br />current and projected discretionary routine lower Colorado River operations and maintenance <br />activities for a period of up to 3 years. On an annual basis, Reclamation's compliance with <br />environmental commitments related to the April 1997 and 2002 Biological Opinions is reported to <br />the Fish and Wildlife Service. . Reclamation's compliance with additional environmental <br />commitments, related to adoption of the Interim Surplus Guidelines, will continue to be a.ddressed in <br />future annual reports, as appropriate. Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service have also <br />formed a partnership with other Federal, State, and privat(: agencies to develop the Lowl~r Colorado <br />River Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP). This program permits both non-JFederal and <br />Federal parties to participate and address ESA compliancl~ requirements under Sections 7 and 10 of <br />the ESA. A draft Environmental Impact Statement (ElS) on the Lower Colorado River MSCP was <br />published on June 18,2004. The Secretary and representatives from Arizona, California, and Nevada <br />signed a Memorandum of Agreement on September 14,2004, committing their best efforts, staff, <br />and resources to complete the final ElS/Environmental Impact Report by December 2004. <br /> <br />(4) At Glen Canyon Dam, the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), a Federal Advisory Commlttee, was <br />established in 1997. Additional information on the AMWG can be found at www.usbr.gov/uc/envprog/amp. <br /> <br />8 <br />