United States Department of the Interior 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

Washington, DC 20240 

APR 1 6 2019 

DECISION MEMORANDUM 

To: Secretary 

From: Timothy R. Petty. Ph.D. - ~/4 

Secretary's Designee, Glen n Dam ~ tive M,!:::!lLnt Work Group 

Assistant Secretary for at 

Subject: 2017 Recommendations from the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work 

Group (AMWG) Federal Advisory Committee 

and Science 

STATEMENT OF ISSUE: 

The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) Federal advisory 

committee consists of a diverse group of stakeholders that provide scientifically informed and 

broadly supported resource management recommendations to protect downstream resources in 

the Grand Canyon, downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. The AMWG has reviewed and provided 

input on the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP) planned research 

and monitoring for fiscal years (FY) 2018-2020. 

The A WMG recommends, by consensus, the GCDAMP triennial budget and workplan for FY 

2018-2020. The proposed total annual budget for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 is 

$11,025,000, $11,136,000 and $11,247,000, respectively. The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive 

Management Program Triennial Budget and Work Plan-Fiscal Years 2018-2020 (revised 

September 26, 2017) is attached to this Decision Memorandum for your review and 

consideration. 

ISSUE BACKGROUND: 

The Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) Upper Colorado Region is responsible for 

administering funds for the GCDAMP and providing those funds for monitoring, research, and 

stakeholder involvement. The majority of program funding is derived from hydropower 

revenues; however, supplemental funding is provided by various Department of the Interior 

(DOI) agencies that receive appropriations. These agencies include Reclamation, the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS), the National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS), and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). 

1 
The budget and work plan for FY 2018-2020 was largely developed in consideration of the 

Record of Decision for the Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan 

Environmental Impact Statement (L TEMP EIS) and on the basis of outcomes from previous 

work plans. Common issues related to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam include, as consistent 

with the Grand Canyon Protection Act, satisfying water rights, protecting endangered species, 

protecting and monitoring cultural resources, addressing concerns of local tribes, protecting and 

improving the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National 

Recreation Area were established, and addressing hydropower production. The activities in the 

GCDAMP FY 2018-2020 budget and work plan address research and monitoring within these 

focus areas. 

The GCDAMP triennial budget and work plan is reviewed and revised each year in consultation 

with the AMWG and its subcommittees. You or your Designee to AMWG may revisit this 

budget and workplan and associated documents and recommendations at any point in time. The 

AMWG regularly makes recommendations for your consideration on proposed adjustments to 

the budget and workplan for the upcoming year. 

CONSTRAINTS ON SECRETARY OR DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ACTION (include 

Office of Solicitor input if legal rationale is provided as a limitation on action): 

Under the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act (GCP A), the Secretary of the Interior is required 

to conduct research and monitoring and to consult with certain stakeholders on the operation of 

Glen Canyon Dam. The AMWG is a Federal advisory committee established to fulfill GCP A 

consultation requirements. The AMWG is tasked with providing input and recommendations on 

the operation of Glen Canyon Dam, and on associated research and monitoring activities. The 

AMWG has reviewed and provided input on the GCDAMP planned research and monitoring 

activities, as specified in the recommended GCDAMP budget and workplan for FY 2018-2020. 

The Secretary of the Interior's determination on the GCDAMP budget and workplan is subject to 

the availability of funds. The majority of program funding is derived from hydropower revenues 

transferred to Reclamation by the Western Area Power Administration (W AP A). 

OPTION 1: APPROVE the AMWG recommendation to adopt the Glen Canyon Dam 

Adaptive Management Program Triennial Budget and Work Plan-Fiscal Years 2018-2020 

Views of other DOI Bureaus: 

The DOI bureaus affected by the proposed budget and work plan (Reclamation, USGS, NPS, 

USFWS, and BIA), are members of the AMWG Federal advisory committee, participated in the 

development of this recommendation and have expressed support for the GCDAMP Triennial 

Budget and Workplan for FY 2018-2020. 

2 
Consistent with relevant EO's or SO s? (specify): 

NIA 

Secretarial Priorities Advanced by Option: 

The proposed FY 2018-2020 budget and workplan supports the following Secretarial Priorities: 

• l(a) Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment 

• l(e) Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands 

• 3(a) Strengthen communication and coordination with state, local, and tribal officials and local communities 

• 4(a) Support tribal self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty 

• 7(b) Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis 

The GCDAMP triennial budget and workplan's primary purpose is to conduct science that 

informs the development of best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to 

changes in Glen and Grand Canyons below Glen Canyon Dam. As with past Biological 

Opinions related to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam, implementation of the budget and 

workplan will ensure there is good science and information available for future Endangered 

Species Act decisions. (Goals la and 7b) 

The AMWG is made up of a diverse group of 25 stakeholders from Federal, State, and tribal 

governments; contractors who purchase power from Glen Canyon Dam; and environmental and 

recreational organizations. Approving the consensus recommendation of this diverse group 

regarding proposed research and monitoring ensures balanced stewardship and use of public 

resources and strengthens communication and coordination with these groups. (Goals le and 3a) 

The proposed budget and workplan allocates funding to tribal AMWG members to ensure 

meaningful participation of the five associated Tribes in the AMWG and the GCDAMP. In 

addition, funding is allocated to tribal monitoring projects and tribal and cultural resources 

projects; these projects rely on tribal expertise and input. (Goal 4a) 

Outside Perspectives - Members of Congress; Federal, State, Tribal, Territorial, and local 

government; and Citizen groups? 

In a recent letter, the Colorado River basin states expressed support for the GCDAMP, stating: 

These programs embody effective partnerships among states, tribes, federal agencies, water 

users, CRSP power customers and environmental organizations throughout the basin, and they 

guarantee the requirements under NEPA and the ESA are met while protecting water supplies for 

human needs. They have broad grassroots and congressional support and operate in a manner 

consistent with state water laws, interstate compacts, and Indian water rights settlements (Letter 

to Congress dated July 3, 2018) 

3 
Approval: MAY 1 7 2019 

OPTION 2: DECLINE to approve the AMWG recommendation to adopt the Glen Canyon 

Dam Adaptive Management Program Triennial Budget and Work Plan-Fiscal Years 2018-

2020 

Views of other DOI Bureaus (if applicable): 

If the AMWG recommendation to adopt the 2018-2020 Triennial Budget and workplan is not 

approved by the Secretary, Reclamation and the USGS would require guidance from the 

Secretary or his Designee regarding what activities (including consultation, research and 

monitoring) should be completed to meet requirements of the GCP A. 

Consistent with relevant EO s or SO's? (specify): 

NIA 

Secretarial Priorities Advanced by Option: 

None. 

Outside Perspectives - Members of Congress? Federal, State, Tribal, Ten-itorial. and local 

government?; and Citizen groups?: 

If the GCDAMP FY 2018-2020 budget and workplan is not approved, members of the AMWG 

and associated stakeholder groups would likely have questions and concerns regarding a path 

forward for the GCDAMP in FY 2018-2020, particularly given the extensive collaboration and 

work undertaken to arrive at the consensus recommendation. This collaboration included five 

DOI bureaus as well as the diverse 25 stakeholder membership of the AMWG. 

Approval-________________________ _ 

WBR:KGrantz:jquistberg:08/14/2018:801-524-3635 DCN 18712 

T:\ERD\3 Grantz\Decision Memo - 2017 AMWG Recommendations - 08-13-2018.Docx 

4