News Release Archive

Reclamation Opens Scoping Comment Period for Long-Term Experimental Plan EIS for Glen Canyon Dam

Media Contact: Barry Wirth, (801) 524-3774 or (801) 633-5046 (cell), bwirth@uc.usbr.gov
Doug Hendrix , dhendrix@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: December 12, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation is now seeking comments from the public concerning an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) it is about to prepare on a proposed Long-Term Experimental Plan for future operation of Glen Canyon Dam.

The purpose of the Long-Term Experimental Plan is to increase understanding of the ecosystem downstream from Glen Canyon Dam and to improve and protect important downstream resources. The proposed plan would implement a structured, long-term program of experimentation which may include dam operations, potential modifications to Glen Canyon Dam intake structures, and other potential management actions, such as removal of non-native fish species, in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam.

In November, Reclamation announced its intent to undertake the EIS. Today a Federal Register notice was published, further describing the EIS purpose and need and outlining the schedule for public input. Written comments concerning the scope of the EIS are being accepted through Wednesday, February 28, 2007. In addition, there will be two public meetings, one in Phoenix on January 4, 2007, and one in Salt Lake City on January 5, 2007. It is important to note that written and oral comments carry the same significance in the preparation of the EIS.

The Long-Term Experimental Plan will build on a decade of scientific experimentation and monitoring that has taken place through the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. A significant element of that program is a Federal Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior called the Adaptive Management Work Group. That group has been developing recommendations for a long-term experimental plan and their work will be incorporated into this EIS. Reclamation met with that group last week to begin that process.

A scoping report that provides an analysis of public comments, both written and oral, will be available in March 2007. A draft EIS will be open for public review beginning in April 2008 with a final EIS and Record of Decision completed by December 2008.

The meeting schedule is:

  • Thursday, January 4, 2007  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Embassy Suites Phoenix Airport at 44th Street, 1515 North 44th Street, Cholla Room, Phoenix, Arizona.

  • Friday, January 5, 2007  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 South West Temple, Salon 1, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Written comments on the proposed development of the Long-Term Experimental Plan may be sent by close of business on Wednesday, February 28, 2007, to: Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region, Attention: UC-402, 125 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1147; faxogram at (801) 524-3858; or e-mail at GCDExpPlan@uc.usbr.gov.

Additional information concerning this EIS, including copies of Federal Register notices and background information, is available through Reclamation's Upper Colorado Region web site located under the "Quick Links" listings at www.usbr.gov/uc/.

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