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<br />providing guidance on the overall
<br />GeES program functions.
<br />
<br />Additional GeES program func-
<br />tions are identified as part of the
<br />U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service'. devel-
<br />opment of a Biological Opinion on
<br />the operation of Glen Canyon Dam.
<br />Technical requirements of the Bio-
<br />logical Opinion are being coordi-
<br />nated within the GeES program.
<br />
<br />C. Technical Input
<br />
<br />'The GeES program is a technically
<br />driven effort. However, because of
<br />the complexity of the issues and the
<br />sensitivity on future management
<br />decisions, an effort has been made
<br />to solicit important technical input
<br />from potentially impacted. groups
<br />and organizations. Included constit-
<br />uent groups are fishing groups
<br />(Trout Unlimited, local angling
<br />clubs), recreation groups, electrical
<br />groups (Salt River Project, CREDA,
<br />Tri-State, Platte River), water
<br />groups, environmental groups (Si-
<br />erra Club, Environmental Defense
<br />Fund, Grand Canyon Trust), and
<br />other concerned citizens and
<br />gI'OUps. All groups are allowed to
<br />participate in the GeES technical
<br />study team meetings and to provide
<br />their perspective to the overall tech-
<br />nica program. Their concerns, as
<br />related to the technical studies, are
<br />noted in the technical meeting min-
<br />utes.
<br />
<br />The GCES public information
<br />transfer program is designed to
<br />transmit technical information, re-
<br />ports, and other pertinent GeES in-
<br />formation to the study participants
<br />and other intsrested offices and peo-
<br />ple. Study updates, technical infor-
<br />mation, and briefings are .cheduled
<br />as necessary.
<br />
<br />D. Scientific Direction and
<br />
<br />Review
<br />
<br />The plinciple intent ofthe technical
<br />portion of the GeES program is to
<br />provide the most scientifically cred-
<br />ible product that can be developed
<br />within the constraints and bound-
<br />alies ofthe GeES program. The .ci-
<br />entific direction and review portion
<br />is separated into three broad cate-
<br />golies: overall scientific review, sci-
<br />entific integration of the technical
<br />studies, and individual study re-
<br />view.
<br />
<br />~
<br />'. ~--'-~-"':~
<br />
<br />The overall scientific review is per-
<br />formed by the National Academy of
<br />Sciences (NAS), Water Science and
<br />Technology Board. The NAB has
<br />been associated with the GeES pro-
<br />gram since 1986, and currently has
<br />an eight person GCES Review Com-
<br />mittee headed by Dr. Richard
<br />Marzolf and Ms. Sheila David, NAB
<br />Staff Officer.
<br />
<br />The responsibility for directing the
<br />scientific integration of the individ-
<br />ual technical studies and develop-
<br />ment of the Integrated Research
<br />Plan is the GeES Senior Scientist,
<br />Dr. Duncan Patten. Dr. Patten will
<br />assemble a Research Advisory
<br />Panel to assist him in the develop-
<br />ment of a second scientific integra-
<br />tion program and in the direction
<br />provided to the GCES. 'The Senior
<br />Scientist will coordinate with the
<br />NAS, the technical study teams,
<br />work groups, and the GeES Pro-
<br />gram Manager in the development
<br />of the scientific program require-
<br />ments.
<br />
<br />The initial level of scientific review
<br />rests with the individual research-
<br />ers, their bureau and agency review
<br />process, and with identified techni-
<br />cal review teams. Through a contin-
<br />ued technical evaluation process,
<br />each researcher will develop the
<br />specific study work plan with scien-
<br />tific credibility and review being of
<br />utmost importance.
<br />
<br />E. Study Teams and Work
<br />
<br />Groups
<br />
<br />The fmal, but most important com-
<br />pollellt in the GeES program, is the
<br />GeES technical study teams and
<br />work groups. Two study teams
<br />exist, the Environmental Study
<br />Team and the Economic Study
<br />Team. The focus of each of these
<br />teams is to develop, review, discuss,
<br />and integrate the GeES technical
<br />study program. Individuals repre-
<br />senting all of the involved GeES
<br />groups participate in one form or
<br />another on the technical study
<br />teams. Palticipation on the teams is
<br />not limited; however, official repre-
<br />sentatives from each Federal, State..
<br />and other organizations have been
<br />identified. Coordination of the tech-
<br />nica study team is through the
<br />GeES offices and designated study
<br />team leaders.
<br />
<br />As needed, adjunct work groups are
<br />assembled from the individual
<br />study teams to perfor!ll specific
<br />GeES program requirements. The
<br />adjunct work groups are formed as
<br />necessary, andrepresentative. may
<br />change as work tasks change. Work
<br />groups have been assembled to de-
<br />velop and review contracts, develop
<br />specific study reports, develop data
<br />requirements, defme research trip
<br />study plans, meet with review com-
<br />mittees, and develop program docu-
<br />ments and other program
<br />requirements. The work group's de-
<br />velopment and composition is deter-
<br />mined by the study team leader, the
<br />GeES Program Manager, and the
<br />Senior Scientist.
<br />
<br />SUMMARY
<br />
<br />The coordination of the GeES and
<br />successful completion of the pro-
<br />gram directives requires coopera-
<br />tion and dedication from all entities
<br />involved. Interest generated by the
<br />initial GeES effor.ts has resulted in
<br />an expanded study team process
<br />and increased concern over ade-
<br />quate representation, The objective
<br />of the GeES Pha.e IT activities is to
<br />focus on the collection of the infor-
<br />mation necessary to complete a
<br />sound decision process. David
<br />Houston, former Mid-Pacific Re-
<br />gional Director, summed it up best
<br />when he said,
<br />
<br />"Notably, in the absence of
<br />scientific j'lfOrmation there
<br />is a tendency to have
<br />inaccurate or incomplete
<br />information stated and
<br />restated until a common
<br />misunderstanding is
<br />established. .
<br />
<br />Our intent is to avoid the develop-
<br />mentofa .common misunderstand.
<br />ing"and to provide the managers
<br />with the technical information re-
<br />quired for sound decisions.
<br />
<br />GeES UPDATE
<br />Program Manager: David Wegner
<br />Edttor: Barbara Taylor
<br />Edttorial Assistance: Public AI-
<br />lalrs~CES Slall
<br />Graphics: Ginger Reeve
<br />layOut Assistance: Uncia Etzold
<br />
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