Portal:Desired Future Conditions -DFCs

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The following Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) are intended to be used within the Adaptive Management Program (AMP), including by the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), to help guide the development of recommendations concerning management of Glen Canyon Dam operations and related activities, and dam impacts on Grand Canyon National Park (Grand Canyon) and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon). The focus of this document is to identify DFCs that can be accomplished through dam operations. However, for the sake of completeness, this document also includes DFCs that might be achieved through non-operational measures.

Justification The Secretary is authorized to consider and implement both operational and non-operational measures to address downstream effects of Glen Canyon Dam if those measures meet the Grand Canyon Protection Act’s goal of protecting, mitigating adverse impacts to, and improving the resources downstream of the dam (see Section 1802 of the Grand Canyon Protection Act)	Scope of the DFCs The Colorado River ecosystem (CRE) which is defined as the Colorado River mainstream corridor and interacting resources in associated riparian and terrace zones, located primarily from the fore bay of Glen Canyon Dam to the western boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. It includes the area where the dam operations impact physical, biological, recreational, cultural, and other resources. The scope of GCDAMP activities may include limited investigations into some tributaries (e.g. the Little Colorado and Paria Rivers).	DFC Organization These DFCs are divided into four categories, including the Colorado River Ecosystem, Power, Cultural Resources, and Recreation. There are many direct and indirect, short-term and long-term ecosystem responses to dam existence and operations. These DFCs are directly or indirectly linked on short and long-term bases through dam-related flows, sediment retention and distribution, hydropower production, fish and wildlife populations, recreation, and visitor experience.

"Before the Adaptive Management Program can measure its success, it must first develop a clear statement of what it is trying to accomplish."
"You can't control what you can't measure."

GROUP MEMBERS ---Work in Progress--- ADDITIONAL NOTES (AMWG Meeting Minutes_Anne Castle) The DFCs will not supersede the AMP Strategic Plan, but the DFCs may result in action taken by the Secretary. AMWG August- 2003_ Motion on Information Need under Goal 3 (extripated species) would not be accomplished by the GCMRC or paid for with AMP funds. The DFCs established the environmental goals for the Colorado River Ecosystem in accord with the need identified by the National Research Council (1999); page 56; "Before the Adaptive Management Program can measure its success, it must first develop a clear statement of what it is trying to accomplish." Strategic Plan GCDAMP August 17,2001_pg15) Desired Resource Goals

Documents and Resources Desired Future Conditions- USBR LINK 130327_USBR-GKnowles_DFC Comparisons Desired Resource GoalsStrategic Plan GCDAMP August 17,2001_pg15) Historical Document: 1996 Glen Canyon Dam Management Objectives-Bruce Moore-(July 2, 1996) List of DFC GOALS Protect or improve the aquatic food base so that it supports viable populations of desired species at higher tropic levels. Maintain or attain viable populations of existing native fish, and prevent adverse modification to their habitat (including critical habitat) Restore viable populations of extirpated species. Maintain a self-sustatining recreational trout fishery in the Lees Ferry reach. Maintain or attain viable populations of the Kanab ambersnail. Protect or improve the biotic riparian, wetland, spring and old high water zone plant communities and their associated biological processes within the Colorado River ecosysterm (including threatened and endangered species and their habitat). Maintain or attain levels of sediment storage within the main channel and along shorelines to achieve ecosystem goals. Maintain or improve the quality of recreational experiences for users of the Colorado River ecosystem, within the framework of ecosystem goals. Maintain power production capacity and energy generation,and increase where feasible and advisable, with in the framework of the Adaptive Management ecosystem goals. Preserve, protect, manage and treat cultural resources for the inspiration and benefit of past, present, and future generations. Tribal Resource Condition Objectives Recommended that the agencies consult with the Tribes to insure these objectives are consistent with Tribal perspectives.