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In addition, the Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs (including Flaming Gorge Reservoir) were mandated by Section 602(a) of the 1968 Colorado River Basin Project Act. Article I.(2) of the criteria requires that the Annual Operating Plan for Colorado River reservoirs "... 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." S.3.1.2 Authorized Uses of Flaming Gorge Dam and Reservoir. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area was established by the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-540). According to that act, the purposes of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area are to provide (1) public outdoor recreation benefits; (2) conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to enjoyment, and (3) such management, utilization, and disposal of natural resources that will promote or are compatible with and do not significantly impair the purposes for which the recreation area was established. The act added about 123,000 acres to Ashley National Forest and assigned management of the entire recreation area to the USDA Forest Service. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area contains 207,363 acres of land and water that are almost equally divided between Utah and Wyoming. SA OPERATIONAL MODIFICATIONS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DAM OPERATIONS Construction of Flaming Gorge Dam and Powerplant began in 1956. Filling of the reservoir began in 1962 when the dam was completed. Full operation began in November 1967. Until 1984, Flaming Gorge Dam was operated to provide for a full reservoir while maximizing power generation, providing associated ancillary services, and avoiding the use of the river outlet works or the spillway. From 1967 until 1984, flows fluctuated as needed to meet system power demand, with consideration given to known fish and wildlife needs. The history of Flaming Gorge Dam operations can be divided into five phases. During the first phase, from 1962 to 1966, the reservoir was filling with water, and Green River flows downstream of the dam were reduced. The first full year of normal operations began in 1967. During the second phase, from 1967 to 1978, Flaming Gorge Dam was operated with few constraints, and water releases were made through the powerplant. The only constraint on releases during phase two was in 1974 when a 400-cubic-foot-per- second (cfs) minimum release was implemented to establish and maintain the tailwater trout fishery (1974 Interim Operating Criteria). This operating agreement between the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Reclamation stated: A minimum flow of 400 cfs will be released from the reservoir at all times. However, for the foreseeable future and under normal conditions, a continuous flow of 800 cfs will be maintained as a minimum. To the extent the available water supply will permit and is compatible with multipurpose operations of all CRSP reservoirs, minimum flows in excess of 800 cfs will be maintained to enhance the use of the river for fishing, fish spawning, and boating. S-4 4: Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft EIS