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<br />14 <br /> <br />353 organic material in the water column had not been brought together with information on <br />354 humpback chub diet, to examine food availability over time and space. <br />355 The NRC concluded that the GCES Program had developed scientific information <br />356 which demonstrated that effects on Grand Canyon resources related to Glen Canyon Dam <br />357 operations could be reduced (NRC, 1987). In 1988, the DOl concluded that additional <br />358 technical information was needed before dam operations could be modified in order to <br />359 minimize effects on downstream resources. A Phase II program was then launched <br />360 encompassing a broader base of resources, to respond to external criticism. <br />361 Shortly after Phase II studies began in 1988, the DOl mandated an Environmental <br />362 Impact Statement on the operation of Glen Canyon Dam. The goals and schedule of Phase II <br />363 studies were then modified and accelerated to support the Environmental Impact Statement <br />364 process. This (DOl, 1995) redirection of Phase II studies eliminated aspects of integration <br />365 that had originally been planned, in favor of rapid evaluation of areas of special concern for <br />366 the environmental impact studies. At present, relationships between the geomorphic <br />367 framework of the Colorado River, including its hydrology, geology and sediment, and its <br />368 aquatic and riverine habitats and related resources, are only partially understood despite <br />369 considerable research efforts aimed at understanding the individual components of the river <br />370 system. <br />371 The Interim Flows phase ofGCES was largely dedicated to monitoring the <br />372 effectiveness of reduced ramping rates and daily flow fluctuations on river resources while <br />373 the GCDEIS was being completed. <br />374 The extensive data bases and understanding developed as a result of GCES activities <br />375 and the GCDEIS (DOl, 1995) provides a rich foundation of knowledge upon which the <br />376 GCMRC program is building. The GCMRC is privileged to have this wealth of information <br />377 as a foundation. <br />378 <br /> <br />November S, 1998 <br />SecoDd Draft - Do Not Cite, Pbotocopy, or DistrIbute <br />