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If there is not a determination of adverse effects on the South Platte, then <br />resolve Section 7(a)2 isues on the Colorado River west slope prior to <br />addressing Section 7(a)1 issues on the South Platte. <br />Resolve the combined Colorado River west slope and South Platte east <br />slope Section 7(a)2 issues if necessary. <br />Address Section 7(a)1 issues for the South Platte and Colordao River <br />after Section 7(a)2 issues are satisfied on both the east and west slopes. <br />The results of reoperation alternatives implemented due to CROS <br />recommendations may change the impacts on the west slope. This affects the <br />CROS in that there will be pressure for the CROS to proceed as efficiently as <br />possible so as not to delay a consultation on the Colorado -Big Thompson <br />Project. <br />The issue of whether this study should be done outside the regulatory framework <br />or under the guidelines of NEPA and the ESA was brought up. It was presented <br />that if the study was done under a NEPA framework, any alternative <br />recommended would be implementable at the end of the study. It was noted, <br />however, that some entities would not be willing to participate if the study was <br />done under NEPA. Also, it was felt that if the alternatives recommended were <br />only those within current operational discretion, NEPA compliance would be <br />simplified for the federal participants and may require as little as a CEC. The <br />FWS stated that this study should be done outside of NEPA and ESA Section 7 <br />consultations in a non - regulatory mode. <br />It was noted that reservoir accounting and communication between controlling <br />entities would be a major issue in the coordination of any discretionary <br />operations. Accounting was identified as a major issue to be addressed for this <br />study. It was recognized however that the Colorado River SWAT team was <br />already addressing that issue and that it would be more appropriate to have that <br />group work on improving the accounting process. <br />The discussion was concluded with comments that the study should improve our <br />understanding of how to make the system of reservoirs more efficient without <br />impacting entities yields. The study should be characterized as an informal, <br />technical analysis of more efficient discretionary operations with a view to <br />meeting the targets for the 15 Mile Reach. <br />Rev: April 5, 1995 3 CR003105.MIN <br />