SPANISH FORK 

PRIDE & PROGRESS 

March 78, 2024 

Sent Via Email only- LTEMPSEIS@usbr.gov 

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

Attention: LTEMP SEIS Project Manager 

725 South State Street, Suite 800 

Salt Lake City, UT 84738 

Subject: GLEN CANYON DAM LONG-TERM EXPERIMENTAL AND 

MANAGEMENT PLAN (LTEMP) DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DSEIS)-89 FR 28, 

February 9, 2024 

On behalf of the City of Spanish Fork, we appreciate the opportunity to 

provide comments on the DSEIS, issued February 9, 2024. In addition to our 

comments, we support and agree with the comments presented by Utah 

Municipal Power Agency (UMPA). Our City is one of the six member utilities of 

UMPA. We also agree with the comments and concerns submitted by the 

Colorado River Energy Distributors Association (CREDA). 

Spanish Fork City operates a not-for-profit municipal electric utility serving 

75,717 residential and commercial customers. We aim at providing reliable, 

affordable, and sustainable electrical service to our citizens. Our electric utility 

is a critical driver in promoting the economic welfare of the community. 

By contract with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), we receive over 

20% of our power resources from these federal facilities. Any cost increases or 

power reductions have a significant impact on our community. This clean and 

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renewable hydroelectric energy supports our efforts to meet our carbon-free 

and renewable goals in the community. Over the past years, we have been 

impacted by drought conditions in the upper Colorado basin leading to lower 

energy production and higher costs. 

The DSEIS acknowledges that power generated through Glen Canyon Dam 

would need to be replaced and lays that responsibility onto WAPA for 

solutions. However, it does not address and consider the scarcity in energy 

generation faced by utilities. We express serious concerns regarding the draft 

SEIS's failure to sufficiently analyze the impact that the flow options will have 

on hydropower production and the risk that reduced hydropower production 

may have on the ability for utilities to provide power to the Utah region during 

the summer. Currently, the energy market is being strained and a further 

reduction of hydroelectric generation will add to the constrained energy 

market with scarcity and higher prices. The DSEIS fails to reflect impacts in 

our market area and only examines the Palo Verde trading hub. 

We acknowledge the importance of protected species and recognize the risks 

associated with smallmouth bass (SMB) proliferation in the river reaches 

below Lees Ferry. Many years of good science and multi-millions of dollars 

have been invested in protecting endangered fish species and improving the 

habitant of the river. Although Reclamation has well intention in drafting the 

SEIS, it has been rushed and lacks a thorough and comprehensive 

examination of other alternatives other than use of the bypass tubes. 

Maintaining a higher elevation in Lake Powell should have been examined. 

We recognize the challenge for Reclamation in balancing the priorities and 

complex issues related to operating the dam. We do support these efforts to 

address the interests of protecting the hydropower resource in balance with 

other social, cultural, tribal, and environmental purposes. We strongly urge 

further studies to avoid reduction of hydropower generation and the impact 

to reliability and affordability in the region. In summary, we urge you to adopt 

the "None-Bypass Option" to avoid these significant risks to power supply. 

Sincerely, 

Spanish Fork City 

Cc: Layne Burningham, UMPA 

Kevin Garlick, UM PA