9367 ‎(3)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9367
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: Proceedings
• USFW Year: 1992.
• USFW - Doc Type: Colorado Water Workshop July 22-24, 1992.
• Copyright Material: NO

objective release and surplus/shortage determinations. The preparation of
Annual Operating Plans results from applying the language of the criteria.

In the 1990 review, we solicited comments three times from the public
and had several open meetings with the seven basin states. Based upon what
was happening with the Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement in which
initial scoping of the EIS generated over 17,000 comments, we braced for an
avalanche of involvement.

We ended up receiving 32 written comments from the states and the
public. Only a couple of the comments really challenged the criteria.

As a result of the 5-year review, we will recommend no change to the
current criteria in an upcoming Federal Register Notice. We feel very
positive about the quality of the input we did receive, and about the process
we undertook.

Reclamation recognizes the primary project purpose of conservation
storage and the importance it plays in governing operations. However, we are
also in an era of changing values and public expectations. As the years go
by, we will be faced with the need to consider accommodation of other uses of
the river through adjustments in release patterns while preserving consumptive
use deliveries.

I am well aware that these concerns strike deeply at the heart of water
users and the various states. Reclamation is sensitive to the impacts and
costs that such changes may carry. However, as a public agency, we must
adhere to all applicable laws, and we must recognize that in a changing world
other concerns and groups beyond traditional ones have valid interests in
water resources. This is especially so when dealing with endangered species,
which we will cover in a few minutes.

Turning to the Annual Operating Plan for the Colorado River, we
make the transition from long-range plans to decisions that impact monthly
operations.

The AOP is administered consistent with the Law of the River. In
addition, the AOP is developed in consultation with the representatives of the
Governors of the Basis states and with interested publics represented by the
Colorado River Management Work Group.

The AOP is the plan for the upcoming year including how Reclamation will
operate the reservoirs and how the monthly releases will be scheduled. We
look to the Work Group to bring to us the public's issues for consideration.
Topics might include flows needed for consumptive use, endangered fish,
recreationists, power production, sport fishermen, trout spawning, and the
like. We are now at work developing next years plan.

Last year was the first year both the 5-year review of the Long Range
Operating Criteria and the AOP were done with public participation. The AOP
drew a lot of interest, whereas the 5-year review did not. Some of that was,
as I said earlier, related to confusion between the two items.

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