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~.:: 1 -, , $'>~ " .' ;1 DEPARTMENT OP THB rNTBarOa BtJRBAU OP RBCLAHATION GLDI CANYON BNVIROllKBNTAL STUDIBS This briefing packet presents information on the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies (GCES). It contains the "Swmnary and Principal Conclusions" of the GCES Final Report, a brief chronology of the studies, and a list of products relating to the GCES program. The GCES program was initiated by the Department of the Inte- rior on December 8, 1982, following considerable public con- troversy which resulted from the proposed peaking power plan and from the Environmental Assessment developed for the uprating and rewinding of the generators at Glen Canyon Dam. The purpose of the GCES program was to determine the short- and long-term environmental impact of Glen Canyon Dam re- leases on the natural and recreational resources of Glen Can- yon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Two primary objectives were defined: I ,; '. ~ ~~ (1) Are current operations of the dam, through control of the flows in the Colorado River, adversely affecting the ezistinq river-related environmental and recreational resourCeS of Glen canyon and Grand canyon?, -and ( (2) Are there ways to operate the dam, consistent with Colorado River storage Project water delivery requirements, that would protect or enhance the environmental and recre- ational resources? , ,. ,\ The Bureau of Reclamation (as lead agency providing funding and overall management), the National Park Service, and the Fish & Wildlife service initiated the studies and were joined by the U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Department of Game and Fish, universities, and private contractors. ...... , The GCES Final Report is nQt a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document. It does not address the potential eco- nomic benefits or costs associated with changes in op- erations, nor has it had full public review. The technical information gathered by the GCES program along with other review reports will be used by the Department of the Interior to determine if operational changes at Glen Canyon Dam can be supported and if those changes can be made within the exist- ing legal and operational parameters of the management of the Colorado River. '~, ;, 'ii ~ r-'