United States Department of the Interior 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

Washington, DC '.?.0240 

DEC 1 6 2020 

DECISION MEMORANDUM 

To: Secretary 

From: Timothy R. Petty. Ph.D. 

Assistant 

Secretary's 

Secretary 

Designee, 

for 

Glen 

Water 

Canyon 

and Science 

Dam Adaptive Manageme JWork Gro

/(

JJ> 

r~ 

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Subject: 2020 Recommendations from the Glen Canyon Dam A aptive Management Wor Group 

(AMWG) Federal Advisory Committee 

STATEMENT OF ISSUE: 

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

consists of a diverse group ofstakeholders that provide scientifically informed and broadly supported 

resource management recommendations to protect downstream resources in the Grand Canyon, 

downstream ofGlen 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) 

2021 through 2023. 

The A WMG recommends, by consensus, the GCDAMP Triennial Budget and Workplan for FY2021 -

FY2023 (final draft dated September 4, 2020). The proposed annual budget for each fiscal year is 

$11,360,000. 

ISSUE BACKGROUND: 

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

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

stakeholder involvement. The majority ofprogram funding is derived from hydropower revenues 

generated by Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) facilities; however, supplemental funding is 

provided by various Department ofthe Interior (Department) 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 ofIndian Affairs (BIA). 
The budget and workplan for FY202 l - FY2023 was developed in consideration ofthe Record of 

Decision for the Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP ROD) 

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 supporting hydropower production. The 

activities proposed in the GCDAMP FY2021 - FY2023 budget and workplan address research and 

monitoring within these focus areas. 

CONSTRAINTS ON SECRETARY OR DEPUTY SECRET ARY FOR ACTION (include Office 

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

Under the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act (GCPA), the Secretary ofthe 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 GCPA 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 Triennial Budget and Workplan for FY202 l - FY2023. 

Implementation of an approved GCDAMP budget and workplan is subject to the availability of funds. 

The authorizing legislations for the GCDAMP states that the Secretary ofthe Interior may use CRSP 

hydropower revenues and/or appropriations to fund these activities. The House-passed FY2021 Energy 

and Water appropriations Bill (H.R. 7617, Division C, Sec. 306) provides $21,400,000 in hydropower 

revenues to support CRSP environmental programs, ofwhich $11,360,000 would be made available to 

the GCDAMP. The Senate has not yet taken up the bill. However, beginning in FY2023, the Western 

. Area Power Administration (W AP A) intends to reduce the level of support provided by hydropower 

revenues from $21,400,000 per year to $12,500,000 per year. Reclamation and W AP A are working with 

partners to identify and mitigate impacts to the GCDAMP due to the potential funding reduction. 

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

Management Program Triennial Budget and Workplan for FY 2021-2023 (final draft dated 

September 4, 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 ofthe AMWG Federal advisory committee, participated in the development of 

this recommendation and have expressed support for the GCDAMP Triennial Budget and Workplan for 

FY2021-FY2023. 

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

NIA 

Secretarial Priorities Advanced by Option: 

The proposed FY2021 - FY2023 triennial 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 ofpublic 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 ofbest 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 ofthis diverse group regarding 

proposed research and monitoring ensures balanced stewardship and use ofpublic resources and 

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

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 

1dian water rights settlements. (Letter to Congre ted July 3, 2018) 

DEC 2 2 2020 

Secretary of the Interior 
OPTION 2: DECLINE to APPROVE the AMWG recommendation to adopt the Glen Canyon 

Dam Adaptive Management Program Triennial Budget and Workplan for FY 2021-2023 (final draft 

dated September 4, 2020) 

Views of other DOI Bureaus (if applicable): 

Ifthe AMWG recommendation to adopt the FY2021 - FY2023 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. Territorial, and local government?: 

and Citizen groups?: 

Ifthe GCDAMP FY2021 - FY2023 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 FY2021 - FY2023, as well as future budget years given the extensive collaboration and 

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

bureaus as well as the diverse 25 stakeholder membership ofthe AMWG. 

DECLINE to Approve: _________________ 

David L. Bernhardt 

Secretary of the Interior