Vision and Mission [1]
The combined Vision and Mission statement for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program reads as follows:
- The Grand Canyon is a homeland for some, sacred to many, and a national treasure for all. In honor of past generations, and on behalf of those of the present and future, we envision an ecosystem where the resources and natural processes are in harmony under a stewardship worthy of the Grand Canyon.
- We advise the Secretary of the Interior on how best to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the integrity of the Colorado River ecosystem affected by Glen Canyon Dam, including natural biological diversity (emphasizing native biodiversity), traditional cultural properties’ spiritual values, and cultural, physical, and recreational resources through the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and other means.
- We do so in keeping with the federal trust responsibilities to Indian tribes, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, including the water delivery obligations of the Law of the River, and with due consideration to the economic value of power resources.
- This will be accomplished through our long-term partnership utilizing the best available scientific and other information through an adaptive ecosystem management process.
Principles [2]
The nine principles of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program are:
- The goals represent a set of desired outcomes that together will accomplish our vision and achieve the purpose of the Grand Canyon Protection Act. Some of the objectives and actions that fall under these goals may not be the responsibility of the Adaptive Management Program, and may be funded by other sources, but are included here for completeness.
- The construction of Glen Canyon Dam and the introduction of non-native species have irreversibly changed the Colorado River ecosystem.
- Much remains unknown about the Colorado River ecosystem below Glen Canyon Dam and how to achieve the Adaptive Management Program goals.
- The Colorado River ecosystem is a managed ecosystem. An ecosystem management approach, in lieu of an issues, species, or resources approach, will guide our efforts. Management efforts will prevent any further human-induced extirpation or extinction of native species.
- An adaptive management approach will be used to achieve Adaptive Management Program goals, through experimentation and monitoring, to meet the intent of the Grand Canyon Protection Act, Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement, and the Record of Decision.
- Dam operations and management actions will be tried that attempt to return ecosystem patterns and processes to their range of natural variability. When this is not appropriate, experiments will be conducted to test other approaches.
- Because management actions to achieve a goal may benefit one resource or value and adversely affect another, those action alternatives that benefit all resources and values will be pursued first. When this is not possible, actions that have a neutral impact, or as a last resort, actions that minimize negative impacts on other resources, will be pursued consistent with the Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement and the Record of Decision.
- If the target of a management objective proves to be inappropriate, unrealistic, or unattainable, the Adaptive Management Program will reevaluate that target and the methods used to attain it.
- Recognizing the diverse perspectives and spiritual values of the stakeholders, the unique aesthetic value of the Grand Canyon will be respected and enhanced.
Priorities of the GCDAMP
The GCDAMP priorities are set by the GCPA of 1992, the LTEMP FEIS, and ROD, and related mitigation requirements for endangered species and cultural resources. The GCDAMP priorities include the management and experimental actions; mitigation and environmental commitments; and research and monitoring identified in the L TEMP FEIS and ROD, and these will be the highest priorities for GCDAMP over the term of the LTEMP. [3]
GCDAMP Goals
The original 12 goals of the Adaptive Management Program were:
- Protect or improve the aquatic food base so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels
- Maintain or attain viable populations of existing native fish, remove jeopardy for humpback chub and razorback sucker, and prevent adverse modification to their critical habitats
- Restore populations of extirpated species, as feasible and advisable
- Maintain a naturally reproducing population of rainbow trout above the Paria River, to the extent practicable and consistent with the maintenance of viable populations of native fish
- Maintain or attain viable populations of Kanab Ambersnail
- Protect or improve the biotic riparian and spring communities, including threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat
- Establish water temperature, quality, and flow dynamics to achieve the GCDAMP ecosystem goals
- Maintain or attain levels of sediment storage within the main channel and along shorelines to achieve the GCDAMP ecosystem goals
- Maintain or improve the quality of recreational experiences for users of the Colorado River ecosystem, within the framework of the GCDAMP ecosystem goals
- Maintain power production capacity and energy generation, and increase where feasible and advisable, within the framework of the GCDAMP ecosystem goals
- Preserve, protect, manage, and treat cultural resources for the inspiration and benefit of past, present, and future generations
- Maintain a high-quality monitoring, research, and adaptive management program [4]
Five Priority Questions
In August 2004, the AMWG reviewed these goals and identified five priority questions to help guide the GCDAMP science program:
- Why are the humpback chub not thriving, and what can we do about it? How many humpback chub are there and how are they doing?
- Which cultural resources, including traditional cultural properties, are within the area of potential effect, which should we treat, and how do we best protect them? What is the status and trends of cultural resources and what are the agents of deterioration?
- What is the best flow regime?
- What is the impact of sediment loss and what should we do about it?
- What will happen when a temperature control device is tested or implemented? How should it be operated? Are safeguards needed for management?
The GCMRC will use these five priority questions as the primary, but not exclusive, basis for designing the science program.
2016 LTEMP ROD
The DOI will work in consultation with the AMWG to update GCDAMP guiding documents (e.g., GCDAMP strategic plan, vision, mission, and charters) to reflect and be fully consistent with the priorities expressed in the FEIS and in this ROD. The goals and objectives in Section l.4 of the LTEMP FEIS will be carried forward as the goals in the GCDAMP guiding documents. Processes and documents will be evaluated and streamlined or combined as necessary. The DOI, in consultation with the AMWG, will develop monitoring metrics for the goals and objectives using those in Appendix C of the FEIS as a starting point. [5]
Reclamation and NPS developed resource goals considering public input and Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) previously adopted by the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG). The following resource goals were identified:
- Archaeological and Cultural Resources. Maintain the integrity of potentially affected NRHP-eligible or listed historic properties in place, where possible, with preservation methods employed on a site-specific basis.
- Natural Processes. Restore, to the extent practicable, ecological patterns and processes within their range of natural variability, including the natural abundance, diversity, and genetic and ecological integrity of the plant and animal species native to those ecosystems.
- Humpback Chub. Meet humpback chub recovery goals, including maintaining a self-sustaining population, spawning habitat, and aggregations in the Colorado River and its tributaries below the Glen Canyon Dam.
- Hydropower and Energy. Maintain or increase Glen Canyon Dam electric energy generation, load following capability, and ramp rate capability, and minimize emissions and costs to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with improvement and long-term sustainability of downstream resources.
- Other Native Fish Species. Maintain self-sustaining native fish species populations and their habitats in their natural ranges on the Colorado River and its tributaries.
- Recreational Experience. Maintain and improve the quality of recreational experiences for the users of the Colorado River Ecosystem. Recreation includes, but is not limited to, flatwater and whitewater boating, river corridor camping, and angling in Glen Canyon.
- Sediment. Increase and retain fine sediment volume, area, and distribution in the Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyon reaches above the elevation of the average base flow for ecological, cultural, and recreational purposes.
- Tribal Resources. Maintain the diverse values and resources of traditionally associated Tribes along the Colorado River corridor through Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyons.
- Rainbow Trout Fishery. Achieve a healthy high-quality recreational rainbow trout fishery in GCNRA and reduce or eliminate downstream trout migration consistent with NPS fish management and ESA compliance.
- Nonnative Invasive Species. Minimize or reduce the presence and expansion of aquatic nonnative invasive species.
- Riparian Vegetation. Maintain native vegetation and wildlife habitat, in various stages of maturity, such that they are diverse, healthy, productive, self-sustaining, and ecologically appropriate.
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