8128

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8128
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Operation of Glen Canyon Dam\
• USFW Year: 1995.
• Copyright Material: NO

Purpose of and Need for Action
Purpose
Need
The Federal action considered in this environmental impact statement
(EIS) is the operation of Glen Canyon Dam, Colorado River Storage Project
(CRSP), Arizona.
On July 27, 1989, the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) directed the
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to prepare an EIS to reevaluate Glen
Canyon Dam operations. The purpose of the reevaluation is to determine
specific options that could be implemented to minimize-consistent with
law-adverse impacts on the downstream environmental and cultural
resources, as well as Native American interests in Glen and Grand
Canyons.
The need for this reevaluation stems from concerns about impacts to
downstream resources caused by the operation of Glen Canyon Dam.
Such impacts have been identified from scientific studies, resulting in
significant public concern. Analysis of an array of reasonable alternatives
is needed to allow the Secretary to balance and meet statutory
responsibilities for protecting downstream resources and producing
hydropower, and to protect affected Native American interests.
In addition, the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 was enacted
October 30, 1992. Section 1802 (a) of the act requires the Secretary to
operate Glen Canyon Dam:
... in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts
to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National
Park and Glen Canyon National Recreational Area were
established, including, but not limited to natural and cultural
resources and visitor use.
BACKGROUND
Glen Canyon Dam was completed by Reclamation in 1963 as a feature of
the CRSP. The underlying project purposes are defined by section 1 of the
Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956, which authorized the Secretary
to construct, operate, and maintain Glen Canyon Dam:
.. for the purposes, among others, of regulating the flow of
the Colorado River, storing water for beneficial consumptive
use, making it possible for the States of the Upper Basin to
Glen Canyon Dam EIS Summary