WSP01516 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

......r.~=- c~.'I-rc.', oL ,,: ."{.IIe/!<.. ~"'" .,..",..... _ c.,"' '_-o._\~...~" ..~ ..-_"..,-.:.~...... ,"'.' ,,,-'J,:";',' ....~...._...,!-.' .,.... ,,:". ~ _''''-...' <_....-=...",.......,. .~ ......-l"_,..,......_,.........____.~... ~,...., ,\ ,', ,/:1, , , 4 and the river was held .t a constant level of 12.000 cfs. Trying to find a balance between power operations and resourCe protection is what this EIS. and eventually the Glen Canyon D_ operation decision is all about. Contrary to the law, common ,ense. and reasoned public policy, so..e proponents ot electrical power production are still arguing that the maximization ot power production should come first, regardle.s of the impacts on other resources or park visitors. This issue will be an essential part of the pUblic "scoping" meetings which should begin in January of 1990 according to the Bure.u ot Reclamation's notice announcing the BIS process. The purpose of those meetings is to get public input on what must be included in the EIS and what alternative actions the Bureau .ust consider. Debate over the question of balance is also likely to be featured in Congressional hearings on the operation ot Glen Canyon Dam. Senator Bill Bradley (D New Jersey) ch.irman of the Senate Subco_ittee on Water and Power h.d to cancsl hearings in October on this iSsue, but ha. indicatsd his intentions to hold those hearings, probably so~etime this Spring during the scoping process. It is also possible that House hearings may be held. The issue ot dam priorities and purposes is also important in another EIS, this one to be prepared by the Western Area Power AdlIIinistration (WAPA), the agency ot the U.S. Department ot Energy that produce. and sells the poNer fro. Glen Canyon D.. as well a9 the other dams in the Federal Colorado River Stora~e Project system. Under the provisions ot . rederal judicial decision. in a case brought by the G~.nd Canyon Trust, Western River Guides Association. Hational Wildlife I!'eciera.tion, and American Rivers, WAPA mUst prepare an EIS on the criteria it uses tor marketing this Pederal Power and on the contract. it proposes to issue for the ..le of the power under those criteria. Although WAPA has y.t to announce the initiation or timing ot its &IS. it is obvious that it IIIUst be closely coordinated with the Bureau of R.cla..tlon EIS proceas. Onee again. Bound public policy must sati.fy the needs of all public resources inclUding natural and park values as well as energy production, and this can and should be recognized in WAPA's lIS and decision process. The trouble is that power is most valuable at the moment of gr..atest demand. In the middle of the night and at certain times ot the year in the Spring and Fall there is a glut of power available, and additional amounts are worth very little. No wonder that the public power preference utilities and their supplier. WAPA. would preter the lucrative approach of fixing long term contracts which would provide peaking power at . exceptionally good rates. However, there i. another price that 4A -...