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. . ~ . ,~ ..... ;'l 1. ;., ;;. remaining aggregate streamflows to certain minimum flows specified therein. It also states that in maintaining the minimum flows in the streams ". . 0 the Project diversions shall be regulated, so far ~s is practicable, in such a manner that the North Fork of the Fryingpan River, the Fryingpan River, and each of the tributaries of those streams, shall contribute to the residual streamflows required by those minimum standards quantities of water in proportion to their natural contributionso . ." The Project will control and regulate all releases and diversions to ensure compliance with the Operating Principles. I The Colorado State Engineer is required by law to monitor and administer all water in the State. The Operating Principles specifically require that the State Engineer shall annually collect pertinent data, including information on snowpack and other available evidence, and thereafter divide and apportion the surface runoff as to achieve, as nearly as possible, the division of water and the maximum of concurrent diversion and storage as detailed in the Operating Principleso . ~. Issue: The Division of Wildlife. the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, at least, should have equal power in determining what these criteria are and who are monitoring the stream flows. It appears the Bureau of Reclamation is taking this upon themselves. and we question the wisdom of one group such as this doing this. Raised by: Representing Charles Loughridge Tam Scott Trout Unlimited Colorado Rivers Council Rocky Mountain Rivers Foundation' Mayor of Aspen *Stacy Standley Response: The Bureau of Reclamation has no authority to alter the Operating Principles but rather operates the Project in accordance with the Operating Principles as directed by the Secretary of the Interior as set out in the following: Section 3(a) and (b) of Public Law 87-590 which authorized the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project directs "The Fryingpan- Arkansas Project shall be operated under direction of the Secretary in accordance with the Operating Principles adopted by the State of Colorado on December 9, 1960, and reproduced in House Document Numbered 130, Eighty-seventh Congress." "The Secretary may appoint the two representatives of the United States to the Commission referred to in paragraph 19 of said principles and may, upon unanimous recommendation of the parties signatory to the operating principles, adopt such modifications therein as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this AcC." . XI-450