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The Honorable Manuel July 18, 1989 Page T,'lO We concur with the Department's position that these studies need to be completed before any action to change the operations at Glen Canyon Dam can be made (see the joint memorandum of June 16, 1988, from Assistant Secretaries Ziglar and Horn and the memoran- dum of June 29, 1988, from Bureau of Reclamation Regional Direc- tor Barrett). A valid basis does not now exist for changing reservoir operations at Glen Canyon Dam either on an interim or permanent basis. We wish to emphasize thct we support the initiation and completion of the Phase II studies. We urge you to get them pronptly underway, ensure that they are technically sound, and accelerate their conduct with a date certain for completion. t. We understand that several advocate groups believe that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPAl process is applicable to these studies and should be initiated now rather than at the conclusion of the Phase II studies, In addition, Arizona Sena- tors DeConcini and McCain, in their joint letter of June 16, 1989, to you, have suggested that it would be in the interest of all parties to go directly into an environmental impact statement (EIS), along with comprehensive economic analyses, at this time rather than waiting until the conclusion of the Phase II studies. 1 ~ " There are several reasons why it could be counterproductive to commence the NEPA compliance process at this time. First, we feel that this would detract from getting the Phase II studies promptly initiated and efficiently completed. Second, were this the case, it could lead to a lon~r, not shorter, decision-making process. Third, there is presently a lack of reliable data to support the need for a major federal action changing the op- erations of Glen Canyon Dam. Indeed, the Phase II studies must be completed before one can reasonably determine,what changes, if any, in reservoir operations should be considered that might be subject to an EIS. fit: ~, ,~ ':..} i-'C, ,~i: '" 'I 1,'- '1 ~ As indicated to you in our meeting, we want to consult with our state fish and game colleagues and the public power customers who purchase power from the Colorado River Storage Project about the E!S issue, We would respectfully ask that you not reach a decision on this issue until we can do this and then meet with you again, hopefully during the month of August as you have suggested. . ", ;.;<:: ,'..-~ . ;'~ Should you find it appropriate to initiate the environmental compliance process prior to the completion of the Phase II studies, then we feel that the Bureau of Reclamation, by virtue