Laserfiche WebLink
<br />May I 1-12, 1998 Board Meeting <br />Agenda Item 26i <br />Page 3 of3 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />of the Colorado River Compact, the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact, the Boulder Canyon <br />Project Act, the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act and any contract lawfully entered unto <br />under said Compacts and Acts. Subject to the provisions of the Colorado River Compact, neither <br />the impounding nor the use of water for the generation of power and energy at the plants of the <br />Colorado River storage project shall preclude or impair the appropriation of water for domestic <br />or agricultural purposes pursuant to applicable State law. <br /> <br />SEe. 8. In connection with the development of the Colorado River storage project and of the <br />participating projects, the secretary is authorized and directed to investigate, plan, construct, <br />operate, and maintain (I) public recreational facilities on lands withdrawn or acquiredfor the <br />development of said project or of said participating projects, to conserve the scenery, the natural, <br />historic, and archeologic objects, and the wildlife on said lands, and to provide for public use <br />and enjoyment of the same and of the water areas created by these projects by such means as are <br />consistent with the primary purposes of said projects; and (2) facilities to mitigate losses of, and <br />improve conditions for, the propagation of fish and wildlife. The Secretary is authorized to <br />acquire lands and to withdraw public lands from entry or other disposition under the public land <br />laws necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facilities herein provided, <br />and to dispose of them to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies by lease, transfer, <br />exchange, or conveyance upon such terms and conditions as will best promote their development <br />and operation in the public interest. All costs incurred pursuant to this section shall be <br />nonreimbursable and nonreturnable. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Given these authorities under CRSP A, our position has been and should continue <br />to be as articulated in our November 22, 1994 letter to Reclamation (copy attached). <br />Assuming those priorities are satisfied, and runoff conditions allow, it then seems <br />appropriate to make anticipatory releases that would benefit other resources such as we <br />have done at other CRSP facilities. <br /> <br />Conclusion <br /> <br />In conclusion, the Aspinall Operations Group decided to support Reclamation's <br />decision to make a planned spring peak release this year. Reclamation agreed to fully <br />document the rational and reasoning behind it's decision, since neither the NPS or FWS <br />requested specific research flows this year. Reclamation may also look at beginning the <br />peak a little earlier in May in response to concerns mentioned by rafting interests and the <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife. The FWS also agreed to provide a letter requesting the <br />use of Aspinall water pursuant to the Dallas and Dolores Project Biological Opinions, but <br />only in the event side inflow below Blue Mesa and Morrow Point Reservoirs is not <br />adequate to timely recover Crystal storage after making the anticipated bypass at Crystal <br />Dam or if Blue Mesa Reservoir fails to fill. <br /> <br />Staff will monitor Aspinall operations very closely this year to assure that they <br />comply with the projected operations. <br /> <br />Attachment <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />- <br />