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<br />APR-16-1999 15'29 <br /> <br />AZ I)EPT I..RTER RES <br /> <br />6624172415 P .l'l2/04 <br /> <br />> <br /> <br />April 16, 1999 <br /> <br /> <br />ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES <br />500 North Third Street, Phoenix, .Ari2Oua 8S004 <br />Telephone (602) 417-2410 <br />Fax (602) 417-2415 <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Mr. Robert Johnson, Director <br />Lower Colorado Rc:gion <br />u.s. Bureau ofR.ecllllW1tion <br />P.O. Box 61470 <br />Boulder City, Nevada 89006-1470 <br /> <br />JANEIlIltRULL <br />- <br /> <br />arcA P. PIWlSON <br />- <br /> <br />RE: Comments 011 Draft Notice of lntact to Initiate a. Process fOr the Development of <br />Swplus Guidelines for the Operation of the Colorado River <br /> <br />M. <br />Dear MJ,Jobnson: <br /> <br />The Arizona Department of Water Resoun:es (ADWR.) IlIIderstmuls that the U.S. Bureau of <br />Reclamation (Bureau) is considering initiating a public process pursuant to the National <br />Enviromnental Policy Act (NEP A) for the pwpose of developing surplus guidelines for the <br />management of the ColonJdo River. As the representative for the Governor oftbe Stale of <br />Arizona in this !I1Atter, I appreciate the opportunity to comment on your proposal befoze it is <br />printed in thePederal Register. After careful consideration of the Bureau's proposal, I have <br />several eoncems regarding the process that is being proposed. I am also lIDcertain as to the goal <br />(or goals) you expect Ibis process to achieve. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Role of tile Seven Basin Slates iu Operating Criteria Development <br />As you know, tbe seven Coionldo River Basin states have a unique ro.Ie in the process of <br />modifYing the existing operating criteria of the Colorado River system. Section 602 of the <br />Colorado River Basin Project Act, wbich creatod the opetating criteria, specifically provides: <br /> <br />As a reSult of actual opl:l1lting experience or unforseen <br />circumstances, the Secretary may thereafter modifY the cri1lDia to <br />better achieve the purposes specified in subsection (a) oftbis <br />section, but onlv after colTlll;J1ond""ce with the ClOvcmnrs of the <br />I1even C'...olnradn RWM Bagin States and ay-9a(QII;at.e consulta.rion <br />with such ~tate r~hJtiveR as ~h C'..nvernor ma:v desi~ <br /> <br />43 U.S.C. !i lS52(b). We ccmstruetbis to be a direct Congressional mandate to consult with the <br />seven states as a first and certainly most important step in any modification proc:eas. We believe <br />that this prescribed consultation is required before any consideration undeir the National <br />Environmental Protection Act. i 0 the extent any process is undertaken by the Bureau to address <br />the opcnrting criteria oflhe Colorado River system, we believe fedenllaw requires that the <br />seven states have an extraordiruuy IQle in the development of thai: crnc:ria, perhaps as a partner in <br />that process or through B separate process which distinguishes the states from other colDlIlClltors. <br /> <br />e APR-16--1999 16: 15 <br /> <br />6024172415 <br /> <br />P.02 <br />