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I,. . . '-I .', . -. . ,. . . . '. . I -. .1 ~_. I I . . MANAGEMENT/PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN REVIEW OF LONG-RANGE OPERATING CRITERIA FOR THE COLORADO RIVER RESERVOIRS INTRODUCTION The criteria for the Coordinated Long-Range operation of Colorado River Reservoirs (Operating Criteria) were promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to section 602 of Public Law 90-537 (43 U.S.C. ~552) and published in the Federal Reaister on June ~O, ~970. In compliance with the law and the published Operating criteria, the fourth in a series of reviews will be conducted. The Operating Criteria provide that the Secretary of the Interior will sponsor a formal review of the Operating Criteria at least every 5 years. Toe law allows the Secretary of the Interior, as a result of actual operating experience or unforseen circumstances, to modify the Operating criteria to better achieve their purpose, after consultation with the Seven Colorado River Basin States. Reviews of the Operating criteria in ~975, ~980, and ~985 resulted in no changes. These reviews were conducted primarily via coordination with representatives of the Seven Colorado River Basin States as designated by the Governors and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Because the long-range operation is important to interest groups and individuals in the Colorado River Basin, this review will involve the general public in the decision-making process. The purpose of this Management/Public Involvement Plan is to ensure that the process is responsive to the level of interest expressed by the public and is visible and understood by those who participate. This plan allows the public to participate actively and provide comments on issues which emerge from the review. The scope of the review process shall be consistent with, and remain within, the statutory purpose of the operating criteria, which is "to comply with and carry out the provisions of the Colorado River Compact, the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact, and the Mexican Water Treaty." Public involvement activities will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will include the public review of the Operating criteria and the initial consultation with the Governors of the Seven Colorado River Basin States and their designated representatives. The result will be a decision to either change or not change the operating Criteria. Phase II will take the decision and apply the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process as necessary.