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01)2221 . . WESTERN WATER PLANNING Glen C~on Environmental Studies The first meeting of the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) was attended by Mr. Worthley on September 10-11, 1997. The most significant activity at the meeting was that dealing with operating procedures for the AMWG under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Mr. Worthley has been nominated as an alternate in my absent and will also represent the Board on the Technical Advisory Committee (f AC). The AMWG plans to meet semi-annually with its next meeting scheduled for January 15-16, 1998. The T AC will be meeting on a monthly basis for the next three months. The AMWG will have an active role in reviewing Reclamation's program for Glen Canyon and the activities of the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC). The AMWG has directed the TAC to review and provide recommendations on such things as; the GCMRC budget, report to congress on research and monitoring proposals, and proposed flow modifications. Last month, I reported that Reclamation had submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding Reasonable and Prudent Alternative 13a of the Biological Opinion t-?\ concerning Reclamation's discretion in river operations. Included in the Board folder is a copy of & a letter from Reclamation by which it is soliciting comments and additional information from interested parties. Comments are due by November 10, 1997. The staff will work with Board members and the agencies in preparing a coordinated response. Also, at the AMWG meeting, the GCMRC initiated discussions concerning a 2-3 day test flow release from Glen Canyon Dam in early October of this year to move beach sediment above the expected high water line expected in the spring of 1998 as a result of the anticipated above nonnal precipitation from EI Nino this winter. The AMWG concurred with the test if the flows were within powerplant capacity, all administrative requirements were met, consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was completed, and the "science" to monitor the effects of the flow could be in-place. The test flow had been scheduled for October 6-7, 1997, however, possible endangered species conflicts required a postponement for at least one week. The test flow has now been scheduled for the period of October 22-23. Included in the Board folder is a notice from the GCMRC announcing the delay of the test flow. Included in the Board folder for your information are copies of the testimony presented before the Subcommittees on National Parks and Public Lands and Water and Power of the Resources Committee United States House of Representatives by Ms. Rita Pearson, Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and Mr. James Lochhead, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. They, along with a majority of those testifying, were in opposition to the draining of Lake Powell. 5