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. . Paqe eomments 7B idealized optimal conditions for these resources. Essentially, all the stUdy has demonstrated is that hypothetical optimal conditions for recreation resources are better than reality. Western has no concerns with the possible management options presented on pages 78 and 7g--indeed these are logical steps to take to achieve the stated goal of the GeES. It must be made clear that optimization of recreational resources will not be reached without costs to other resources, and the Secretary should understand that the increment being "bought" is to make excellent recreation more perfect. A-I Not enough has been said in the integrated report about the long-term effects of eliminating floods and moderating fluctuations with regard to rapids and debris flows. What will happen to rafting as these constrictions increase? Are the short-term advantages to optimize the rafting experience worth the long-term costs? This point should have been investigated in depth in the main report, as it could affect the entire viability of modified flows. A-47 Apparently, camping beaches do reach equilibrium under daily fluctuating flows. In the main report, however, fluctuating flows are held to be detrimental to camping beaches. More discussion is needed to clarify this discrepancy. B-53 The second paragraph states that riparian and rivering ecosystems are dynamic and adapted to high levels of disturbance. This idea did not make the transition to the integrated report the way it should have. The report advocates the imposition of a static regime on the natural resources below Glen Canyon as the ideal situation. Western maintains that this is theoretical and more or less impractical. This is particularly true in light of the lack of information on the long-term effects if such a proposal were implemented. e-4 Question (2) again references "protection" of the recreational resources. Protection from what? Existing operations are not a new feature introduced to the present situation, but are part of the existing situation. C-ll Western does not agree that fluctuations necessarily impair the naturalness of the rafting experience. Why does the stUdy not just state the Simple facts? Apparently, some rafters just do not want to put up with the inconvenience sometimes caused by fluctuating flows. C-15 As discussed in comment 14, Western has reservations concerning the methods used in measuring recreational quality, assigning dollar values. and defining "impact" based on lost opportunity. Extreme caution must be used in gathering and interpreting user attitude data. Eliminating bias in a major problem with such studies. Western is not implying that the researchers in this area did not do a thorough job in minimizing bias or calculating dollar values--Western is merely saying that the report does not provide enough information for the 8