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<br />APPc-16-19S'3 15:31 <br /> <br />FiZ. DEPT WATER RES <br /> <br />6024172415 P.04/04 <br /> <br />, . . <br /> <br />secretarial order. outside of the AOP order, may not provide enough flenlrility to address llDlluaI <br />mllinstem conditions. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Use a Plaaning Process to Prepare GuideUDes <br />The draft notice does not specify a ma,jor federal action that could be appropriately reviewed <br />under NEP A. In fact, it does not spceify any action at all, other than the consideration of ideas. <br />Surplus and shortage criteria have been discussed and debated in Bureau led fomms for nuny <br />years. ADWR Il:CommClllls thaI the Bureau use its past experience of operating the reservoirs for <br />the lower Colorado River and the past rccommemlations of the states 10 prepare proposed policy <br />guidelines for !he deternlination of DlllIIlaJ, ll1I1Jllus or shortage WlItcr supply conditions. A <br />public review of these propo:sed guidelines lIItder NEP A could then be conducted to receive <br />comments and suggestions on the proposed guidelines before a final decision is made. <br /> <br />If and whcu a NEP A process is necessary, it should not begin 1JIrti11he Bureau has more narrowly <br />defined the scope of the proposed secretarial action. The Secretary should not begin a process <br />which entails a bllllin-wide NEP A evaluation ofhis authorities to deliver water to the contrsctorn <br />in the Lower Colorado River Basin. The s.,.",eta.y is rcqu.ircd to determine the availability of <br />water to meet Lower BasiJi consumptive uses pUlllllallt to explicit anthorities set forth in the 1928 <br />Boulder Canyon Project Act, 1944 Water Treaty witb Mexico, 1964 d=e in Arizona v. <br />California, 1968 Co1onJdo River Basin Project Act and ] 970 CritEria for Coordinated Long- <br />Range Oper3tion of the Colorado River ResenroUs Pursuant to the CRBP A of September 30, <br />1968. We believe the SeCleta.j has no discretion to operate the Colorado River except pursuant <br />to these authorities. In addition, NEP A complisnce has been done for each conttactor and the <br />routine maintenance and operational activities of the Lower Basin. Generalized evaluation of <br />alternatives for the operation of the River is contrary to the requirements of fedenl law and <br />redUDdant 1.0 past and cummt actions. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Thank yon for the opportuDity to COlD01eIlt on yonr proposed process to cn:ate swplus criteria. <br />Please feel free to contact myself or HeIb Dishlip if you bave any questions. <br /> <br />1~ <br /> <br />Director <br /> <br />cc: Jayne Harkins, USBR <br /> <br />RPP:mjp:kd <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />APR-1&-1999 16:16 <br /> <br />60241-72415 <br /> <br />TOTFL P.~ <br />P.04 <br />