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<br />GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE <br />DRAFT EHVIROHMERTAL IMPACT STATEMENT <br />FOR GLEN CANYON DAM <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The Preferred Alternative offers a proposal which attempts to find <br />an acceptable level of resource protection. The Preferred <br />Alternative ostensibly is designed to enhance and preserve natural <br />environments downstream of Glen Canyon Dam yet its elements as well <br />as elements common to all alternatives have questionable merit. <br /> <br />The reasons for this conclusion are contained within the scientific <br />information collected on canyon resources for three significant <br />periods: Pre-dam, Post-dam, and Interim Flows. The conclusion also <br />is based on projections of future conditions under the Preferred <br />Alternative scenario with the Common Elements. This summation is <br />provided to encourage evaluation of the Preferred Alternative and <br />the desire by the Bureau of Reclamation to change operations to <br />make things better. We believe much of what is proposed for change <br />will negatively impact many resources and make things worse. <br /> <br />~I <br />". <br />;:, <br />r. <br /> <br />SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH PERIOD <br /> <br />Pre-Dam Period <br /> <br />In contrast to popular belief, pre-dam conditions were not <br />pristine. Introduction of numerous exotic fish and plant species, <br />upstream pollution, and downstream reservoirs had set in motion <br />events which would forever change the natural environment of this <br />area with or without a dam. Some people would like to return to <br />pre-dam conditions. Their opinion is based on what one of the <br />research scientist has called "a romantic idea of what rivers <br />should be like." Most of these same people are unwilling to give <br />up the benefits of dam-created environments. Return to historic <br />conditions has a nice sound to it but is not a realistic, or in <br />many respects, desirable goal. <br /> <br />'.;" <br /> <br />~::: <br />r".' <br />~1 <br />.;.~. <br />". <br /> <br />Conditions prior to dam construction were typical of a flashy river <br />system with extreme highs and lows in flow. These conditions <br />created an environment much different than today. <br /> <br />* Little riparian vegetation survived periodic floods. <br />Floodflows regularly prevented riparian vegetation from <br />growing in the scour zone below about the 100,000 cfs stage <br />and those existing above the scour zone produced a narrow <br />vegetation zone (Old High Water Zone) of only about 1,870 <br />acres. <br /> <br />1 <br />