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<br />NEW MEXICO INTERSTATE STREAM COMMISSION <br /> <br />.. COMMISSION MEMBERS <br />.. RICHARD P. CHENEY. Chairman, Farmington <br />HAL E. ENGLE, Vice-Chairman. Edgewood <br />THOMAS C. TURNEY. PE., Secretary, Santa Fe <br />PALEMON A. MARTINEZ, Valdez <br />HOYT PATTISON, Clovis <br />JOHN S. BULSTERBAUM, Deming <br />PHILIP R. GRANT. Albuquerque <br />HAROLD HOUGHTALING. Jr.. Lake Arthur <br />NARENDRA N. GUNAJI, Las Cruces <br /> <br /> <br />BATAAN MEMORIAL BUILDING. ROOM 101 <br />STATE CAPITOL <br />POST OFFICE BOX 25102 <br />SANTA FE. NEW MEXICO B7 504-5102 <br /> <br />(505)B27.6160 <br />FAX:(5051827-6188 <br /> <br />April 16, 1999 <br /> <br />Regional Director <br />Lower Colorado Region <br />Bureau of Reclamation <br />Post Office Box 61470 <br />Boulder City, Nevada 89006-1470 <br /> <br />Attention: Jayne Harkins <br /> <br />Dear Ms. Harkins: <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />These comments are provided in response to recent discussions about developing specific <br /> <br />guidelines or criteria for surplus determinations for management of the Colorado River. <br /> <br />Apparently, at least three options have been suggested for developing the guidelines: I) <br /> <br />initiating a review of Article III(3) (b) of the Long-Range Operating Criteria; 2) developing a <br /> <br />regulation to be codified in the Code of Federal Regulations; 3) developing formal Secretarial <br /> <br />guidance in the form of a Secretarial Order. Further, that under any option a public process <br /> <br />pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) would be utilized. <br /> <br />Criteria for surplus determinations have been employed during recent years to determine <br /> <br />that water in quantities greater than "Normal" available for release from Lake Mead. These <br /> <br />determinations were made as a part of the Annual Operating Plan for the Colorado River <br /> <br />Reservoir System with opportunity for public participation. We submit that the Annual <br /> <br /> <br />e Operating Plan is a viable process, to develop additional guidelines and request this option be <br /> <br /> <br />seriously considered. <br />