Findings from the EIS indicated that many uncertainties still exist regarding the downstream impact of water releases from Glen Canyon Dam. The EIS team consolidated the issues of public concern, identifying the significant resources and associated issues to be analyzed in detail. These resources include: water, sediment, fish, vegetation, wildlife and habitat, endangered and other special status species, cultural resources, air quality, recreation, hydropower, and non-use value.

In compliance with the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575), the EIS proposed a process of "adaptive management" whereby the effects of dam operations on downstream resources would be monitored and assessed.

The Act, and the EIS are the guiding documents for development of the Adaptive Management Program. The program meets the purpose and strengthens the intent for which the EIS was prepared, and ensures the primary mandate of the Act is met through future advances in information and resource management.

Section 1802 of the Act directed the Secretary to establish and implement long-term monitoring programs and activities to ensure the Glen Canyon Dam is operated "... in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established, including, but not limited to natural and cultural resources and visitor use."

In order to comply with the consultation requirement of the Act, Section 1805 of the Act, the EIS recommended formation of a federal advisory committee. The Transition Work Group was formed to operate until such time as a federal advisory committee could be formed, and a Record of Decision signed by the Secretary of the Interior to initiate a process of "management" (operating criteria for unbiased scientific research and data collection) whereby the effects of dam operations on downstream resources would be assessed. Meetings were held with representatives from the cooperating agencies and public interest groups who provided comments on the criteria for development of reasonable alternatives for the EIS.

The transition group worked on a variety of issues including a long-term monitoring and research program to ensure Glen Canyon Dam is operated in a manner consistent with protecting the downstream environment as well as implementation and management of operations and monitoring in consultation with broad-based interests.

The Record of Decision was signed by the Secretary of Interior in October 1996, and in January 1997, Interior Secretary Babbitt signed a Notice of Establishment of the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Work Group, a federal advisory committee. The charter of this group was signed on January 15, 1997.

All of the elements are now in place for an effective, credible adaptive management effort. The Adaptive Management Work Group is the key; the Technical Work Group providing detailed guidance on issues and objectives; the Science Center to conduct the research and monitoring needed to evaluate operations; and the independent review panel, the outside review necessary to provide the credible science.

The AMWG continues public involvement in the decision-making process and incorporates those stakeholders with interest in the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and downstream resources. By blending the best science and management practices, the AMWG makes recommendations to the Secretary on how to protect the resources and meet the requirement of the law.

The Adaptive Management Program is administered through a senior Department of the Interior official — designee — and facilitated through the AMWG, which is organized as a federal advisory committee and chaired by the designee.

The AMWG held their first meeting on September 10-11, 1997, and officially formed the Glen Canyon Technical Work Group as a subgroup to work on tasks charged to them by the AMWG.

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Contact us

Bureau of Reclamation
Lee Elizabeth Traynham
125 South State Street, Room 8100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1147
801-524-3752
bor-sha-ucr-gcdamp@usbr.gov

Grand Canyon Monitoring & Research Center
Serena Mankiller
2255 North Gemini Drive
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
928-556-7094
Fax: 928-556-7092
smankiller@usgs.gov

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Related Documents

Current Focus

• GT Max Model Review Panel Final Report Link is to a PDF file
• GT Max Model Review Panel Workshop Participant Comments Link is to a PDF file
• GT Max Expert Review Panel Response to Comments Link is to a PDF file
• Proposed FY15-17 Budget & Work Plan Link is to a PDF file
• Adapitive Management Work Group Charter Link is to a PDF file
• Memorandums and Review - Desired Future Conditions Link is to a PDF file
• Adapitive Management Work Group Operating Procedures Link is to a PDF file
• Technical Work Group Operating Procedures Link is to a PDF file

Law of the River

• Colorado River Compact
• Boulder Canyon Project Act
• California Seven Party Agreement
• Mexican Water Treaty
• Upper Colorado River Basin Compact
• Colorado River Storage Project Act
• Arizona v. California et al.
• Colorado River Basin Project Act
• Criteria For Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs
• Minute 242 of the U.S. - Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission of 1973
• Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act

Reports to Congress on Glen Canyon Dam operations

Can be found on our Reports page in the new Document Library.

Reports and Recomendations to the Secretary of the Interior

• December 7, 2016 Link is to a PDF file
• November 12, 2015 Link is to a PDF file
• September 29, 2014 Link is to a PDF file
• December 9, 2013 Link is to a PDF file
• January 15, 2013 Link is to a PDF file
• April 30, 2012 Link is to a PDF file

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