Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group

Federal Advisory Committee

CHARTER

Official Designation: Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group.

Scope and Objectives: The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of

the Interior relative to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam in accordance with the additional criteria and

operating plans specified in Section 1804 of the Act and to the exercise of authorities under existing

laws in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which

Grand Canyon National Park and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established,

including but not limited to the natural and cultural resources and visitor use.

The Secretary of the Interior is implementing the Grand Canyon Protection Act (Act) of October 30,

1992, embodied in Public Law 102-575. The Act calls for implementation of long-term monitoring,

research, and experimental programs and activities. As part of long-term monitoring, the Secretary’s

Record of Decision (ROD) mandated development of an Adaptive Management Program (AMP). 

The AMP provides for monitoring the results of the operating criteria and plans adopted by the

Secretary and research and experimentation to suggest appropriate changes to those operating criteria

and plans.

The AMP includes an Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG). The AMWG will facilitate the

AMP, recommend suitable monitoring and research programs, and make recommendations to the

Secretary as required to meet the requirements of the Act. The AMWG may recommend research and

monitoring proposals outside the Act which complement the AMP process, but such proposals will be

funded separately, and do not deter from the focus of the Act.

Duration: It is the intent that the AMWG shall continue indefinitely, unless otherwise terminated by the

Secretary. 

Agency or Official to Whom the Committee Reports: The AMWG reports to the Secretary through

the Secretary's designee who shall serve as the chairperson and Designated Federal Official of the

AMWG. In the absence of the Chairperson, a senior level Interior representative will act as

Chairperson for the AMWG.

The Secretary's designee shall be responsible for preparation of meeting agendas and scheduling

meetings of the AMWG. The Secretary's designee shall attend and chair all meetings of the AMWG. 

The Secretary’s designee will also be responsible for sending a formal summary report after each

Advisory Committee meeting directly to the Secretary of the Interior with copies of subject summary

report to be provided to all AMWG members.

Bureau Responsible for Providing Necessary Support: The logistical and support services for the
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meetings of the AMWG shall be provided by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation).

Estimated Annual Operating Costs: The operating costs are estimated at $200,000 annually for the

establishment and support of the AMWG. This includes costs for required staff support, Reclamation

staff and AMWG members, and expenses incurred in the recording and reproduction of meeting

minutes, reports, notices, etc. 

Description of Duties: The duties or roles and functions of the AMWG are in an advisory capacity

only. They are to:

a. Establish AMWG operating procedures.

b. Advise the Secretary in meeting environmental and cultural commitments of the Record of

Decision.

c. Recommend the framework for the AMP policy, goals, and direction. 

d. Define and recommend resource management objectives for development and implementation

of a long-term monitoring plan, and any necessary research and studies required to determine the

effect of the operation of Glen Canyon Dam on the values for which the Grand Canyon National

Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established, including but not limited to

natural and cultural resources, and visitor use.

e. Review and provide input on the report required in Section 1804 (c)(2) of the Act to the

Secretary, the Congress, and the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States. The report will

include discussion of dam operations, the operation of the AMP, status of resources, and

measures taken to protect, mitigate, and improve the resources defined in the Act.

f. Annually review long-term monitoring data to determine the status of resources and whether the

AMP Strategic Plan goals and objectives are being met. If necessary, develop recommendations

for modifying the GCDEIS ROD, associated operating criteria, and other resource management

actions pursuant to the Grand Canyon Protection Act.

g. Facilitate input and coordination of information from stakeholders to the Secretary to assist in

meeting consultation requirements under Sections 1804 (c)(3) and 1805 (c) of the Act.

h. Monitor and report on compliance of all program activities with applicable laws, permitting

requirements, and the Act.

Allowances for Committee Members (compensation, travel, per diem, etc.) While engaged in the

performance of official business at AMWG and AMWG sub-group meetings (regular, ad hoc, and
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Protocol Evaluation Panel meetings) away from home or their regular places of business, all AMWG

members or AMWG sub-group members shall, upon request, be reimbursed for travel expenses in

accordance with current Federal travel regulations.

Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings: The AMWG is expected to meet biannually. The

Secretary's designee, who will serve as the Designated Federal Official, may call additional meetings as

deemed appropriate. Fifteen members must be present at any meeting of the AMWG to constitute a

quorum.

In accordance with FACA, a notice of each meeting of the AMWG shall be published in the Federal

Register at least 15 days prior to the meeting advising the date, time, place, and purpose of the meeting. 

If it becomes necessary to postpone or cancel an announced meeting, a subsequent notice shall be

published in the Federal Register as early as possible and shall explain the reasons for the

postponement or cancellation. A news release for each meeting, postponement, or cancellation shall

also be provided to selected major newspapers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New

Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah. News releases shall also be provided to agencies and organizations

expressing interest in publishing meeting announcements in newsletters.

In accordance with FACA, all meetings of the AMWG shall be open to the general public. Any

organization, association, or individual may file a written statement or, at the discretion of the AMWG,

provide verbal input regarding topics on a meeting agenda in accordance with FACA.

Termination Date: It is the intent that the AMWG shall continue indefinitely, unless otherwise

terminated by the Secretary. The committee is subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory

Committee Act (FACA), 5.U.S.C. Appendix 2, and will take no action unless the charter filing

requirements of section 9 of FACA have been complied with. The Committee is subject to biennial

review and will terminate 2 years from the date the charter is filed, unless, prior to that time, the charter

is renewed in accordance with Section 14 of the FACA. 

Committee Membership: Members of the AMWG to be appointed by the Secretary shall be comprised

of: 

a. Secretary's Designee, who shall serve as chairperson for the AMWG.

b. One representative each from the 12 cooperating agencies associated with the EIS:

(1) Bureau of Reclamation

(2) Bureau of Indian Affairs

(3) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(4) National Park Service

(5) Western Area Power Administration
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(6) Arizona Game and Fish Department

(7) Hopi Tribe

(8) Hualapai Tribe

(9) Navajo Nation

(10) San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe

(11) Southern Paiute Consortium

(12) Pueblo of Zuni

c. One representative each from the seven basin states:

(1) Arizona

(2) California

(3) Colorado 

(4) Nevada

(5) New Mexico

(6) Wyoming

(7) Utah

d. Two representatives each from:

(1) Environmental groups

(2) Recreation interests

(3) Contractors who purchase Federal power from Glen Canyon Powerplant

Members will be appointed to the AMWG by the Secretary, with input and recommendations from the

cooperating agencies, States, tribes, contractors for Federal power from Glen Canyon Dam,

environmental representatives, and other stakeholders. To be eligible for appointment to the AMWG,

a person must (a) be qualified through education, knowledge, or experience to give informed advice on

water supply, diversion and delivery facilities, and their operation and management, or the

environmental aspects of such operation; and (b) have the capability to constructively work in a group

setting toward a common objective of structuring a mechanism for program implementation.

Members of the AMWG will be appointed for a 4-year term. At the discretion of the Secretary,

members may be reappointed to additional terms. Vacancies occurring by reason of resignation, death,

or failure to regularly attend meetings will be filled by the Secretary for the balance of the vacating

member's term using the same method by which the original appointment was made. Failure of an

organization to be represented at two consecutive meetings will substantiate grounds for dismissal. The

Chairperson will make the final determination in dismissing a member. 

To avoid conflict of interest issues arising from entities, including Federal agencies, having

representatives on the AMWG and also submitting responses to request for proposals to perform
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work, the Federal procurement process shall be strictly adhered to. While members of the AMWG

may give advice to the Secretarial Designee, all decisions in the procurement process shall be made by

Federal procurement officials free of influence from AMWG members.

Subgroups: The committee may establish such workgroups or subcommittees as it deems necessary

for the purposes of compiling information, discussing issues, and reporting back to the AMWG. 

Authority: The Grand Canyon Protection Act (Act) of October 30, 1992, embodied in Public Law

102-575, directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), among others, to operate Glen Canyon Dam

in accordance with the additional criteria and operating plans specified in section 1804 of the Act and

to exercise other authorities under existing law in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts

to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and the Glen Canyon National

Recreation Area were established, including but not limited to the natural and cultural resources and

visitor use. The Secretary shall implement this section in a manner fully consistent with and subject to

Section 1802 of the Act. Section 1805 of the Act calls for implementation of long-term monitoring

programs and activities that will ensure that Glen Canyon Dam is operated in a manner consistent with

that of Section 1802.

 

Secretary of the Interior Date signed

 

Date Filed