Updates
|
|
10/7/16
Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) filed the LTEMP Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The FEIS is available to you for downloading at: http://ltempeis.anl.gov/documents/final-eis/
The LTEMP will determine specific options for dam operations (including hourly, daily, and monthly release patterns), non-flow actions, and appropriate experimental and management actions that will meet the requirements of the Grand Canyon Protection Act, maintain or improve hydropower production, and protect, mitigate adverse effects to, and improve downstream resources, including those of importance to American Indian Tribes.
DOI will not issue a final decision on the proposed action for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the EPA publishes its Notice of Availability of Weekly Receipt of Environmental Impact Statements in the Federal Register. After the 30-day public review period, the DOI will complete a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will state the action that will be implemented and discuss all factors leading to that decision.
The purpose of the proposed action is to provide a comprehensive framework for adaptively managing Glen Canyon Dam over the next 20 years consistent with the Grand Canyon Protection Act and other provisions of applicable Federal law. The proposed action will help determine specific dam operations and actions that could be implemented to improve conditions and continue to meet the Grand Canyon Protection Act’s requirements and to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the downstream natural and cultural resources and visitor use in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, including resources of importance to American Indian Tribes. The need for the proposed action stems from the need to use scientific information developed since the 1996 ROD to better inform the public of Department of the Interior decisions on dam operations and other management and experimental actions so that the Secretary of the Interior may continue to meet statutory responsibilities for protecting downstream resources for future generations, conserving Endangered Species Act-listed species, avoiding or mitigating impacts on National Register of Historic Places-eligible properties, and protecting the interests of American Indian Tribes, while meeting obligations for water delivery and the generation of hydroelectric power.
For More Information
For more information about the Glen Canyon Dam LTEMP EIS, please see the project website (http://ltempeis.anl.gov/) or contact the respective joint-lead agency project managers, Dr. Katrina Grantz, Bureau of Reclamation, [email protected], 801-524-3712; or Mr. Rob Billerbeck, National Park Service, [email protected], 303-987-6789.
Please forward this message to any party you feel may be interested in the LTEMP EIS.
Feedback
To submit feedback, contact the LTEMP EIS webmaster at [email protected]
Privacy Policy
Our online privacy policy is at: http://ltempeis.anl.gov/privacy/
|
|
Documents and Links
|
|
|
Resource Goals of the LTEMP
|
|
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. 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.
|
Papers and Presentations
|
|
2016
2014
|
|
