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<br />ve.ted interests. Reclamation developed an option focused on balancing <br />the management and use of resources and in pursuit of an implementable plan. <br />These preliminary proposals are summarized in an attachment to this issue <br />document. <br /> <br />Four parameters which relate to potential impacts on downstream resources are <br />the focus of Glen Canyon Dam operations. These include: maximum flow, minimum <br />flow, daily fluctuation of flow, and the rate of change in flows over a l-hour <br />period (referred to as ramp rates). Limiting flood related damages, as cur- <br />rent operations provide, during the interim period is common to all proposals. <br />Interim operating criteria would not interfere with water deliveries pursuant <br />to interstate compacts and other applicable laws or with operations to avoid <br />anticipated spills (often referred to as flood control releases). <br /> <br />I..u.. <br /> <br />Primary issues that relate to interim operating criteria for Glen Canyon Dam <br />are as follows: <br /> <br />1) Reduction of impact. on the environmental and ecological resources <br />in Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon associated with operational change. <br />2) Potential impacts on Western's customers in terms of service and <br />costs. <br />3) Financial cost and funding of replacement power as a result of <br />interim operating criteria. <br />4) NEPA compliance. <br /> <br />The issue of impacts on environmental and ecological resources in the Glen and <br />Grand Canyons has been highly publicized and relate to: erosion of elevated <br />beaches, replenishment of sand deposits in the river channel, endangered and <br />native fish and trout, aquatic food base, and terrestrial vegetation. <br /> <br />Impacts on power customers are related to contract commitments, transmission, <br />interconnected system responsibility, rate implications, and replacement <br />power. <br /> <br />The financial cost of interim operating criteria is of concern during this <br />period of drought when revenues are low. Funding is currently inadequate to <br />support normal operation and maintenance, EIS, and study costs. Further costs <br />associated with interim criteria will make the situation worse. <br /> <br />NEPA compliance is an important issue in terms of implementing interim oper- <br />ating criteria. What form NEPA compliance will take depends upon the ultimate <br />decision as to interim operating criteria. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />---j <br />