Basin Issues February 1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

the criteria. The last review was initiated in 1995 and while USBR decided that no changes should be made to the criteria, the process allowed comments through October 17, 1997. We need to anticipate what the proposed changes to criteria may be and be ready to defend our position during each 5 -year review process. Colorado River Consumptive Uses and Losses Report — The USBR is required, pursuant to the Colorado River Basin Project Act of September 30,1968 to prepare a consumptive uses and losses report describing the consumptive uses of water in each of the seven Colorado River Basin States. The purpose of the report is to assure that each of states is in compliance with the "Law of the Colorado River." Colorado has developed the CRDSS in part to assist in the preparation of this report and to assure that the state is in agreement with USBR findings. Information needs to be collected on an annual basis and incorporated into the CRDSS data base for use in preparation and review of this report. Debate Over Whether or Not to try and Drain Lake Powell — The Sierra Club and Glen Canyon Institute have proposed to drain Lake Powell. Lake Powell is the crown jewel of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) and the principle reason the each of the four Upper Colorado River Basin States have been able to develop their compact apportionment when and how they see fit. Absent the benefits of Lake Powell, each state would have to concern itself with how to make sure that 7.5 MAF arrives annually at Lee Ferry and also to find other ways to pay for water projects developed as participating projects under CRSP. The press is having a field day with this idea because it is so outrageous. At some point we will likely need to strongly oppose this outlandish idea and extol the benefits of Lake Powell and the consequences to Upper Basin States of possibly not having it. Lower Colorado River Conservation Plan & Biological Opinion — This plan and BO will provide the RPA for all Lower Colorado River Operations and Maintenance for at least the next 5- years. Southwest Center for Biological Diversity v USBR — The Center has sued USBR concerning the operations of Lake Mead and impact that current water levels in Lake Mead have on critical habitat of the Southwestern Willow Fly Catcher. To date the District Court in Arizona has ruled against the Center. The Center has appealed that decision and again requested injunctive relief. The request for injunctive relief was again unsuccessful and case is currently awaiting further action on the appeal. Implementation of the Lower Colorado River Accounting System (LCRAS) — This is a proposed replacement system for the current accounting mandated in Arizona v California. It is proposed that this new accounting system be run side -by -side with the current system until everyone is satisfied that it is an acceptable replacement and that all the differences are understood. Staff feels a need to monitor this effort in order to gain an understanding of how the accounting is done and why and to assure the accounting is consistent with the decree and the "Law of the Colorado River." Salinity Control Program - The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program grew out of the 1972 Clean Water Act. The purpose of the CRBSCP is to allow the seven Colorado River Basin States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) to continue developing their compact apportioned waters while maintaining the numeric criteria adopted by all seven basin states and approved by EPA for salinity in the Colorado River at the following locations: • 723 mg\l below Hoover Dam C;\msoffice \wi nword \document \basi ni ssues December 30, 1997 Page 2 of 19