Environmental Compliance

The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP) was established in 1997 under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior,  and in compliance with the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992.  GCDAMP is administered through the Secretary's designee and facilitated through the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), which is organized as a Federal Advisory Committee and chaired by the designee. The Technical Work Group provides detailed guidance on issues and objectives; the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center conducts research and monitoring needed to evaluate operations and an independent review panel provides the necessary outside review to provide the credible science. The Department represents the State of Arizona at the AMWG.

The AMWG continues to provide a venue for 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 current focus of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program includes:

Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Record of Decision (ROD) 

The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, or LCR MSCP, is a cooperative effort to address the needs of threatened and endangered species that may be affected by the operation and maintenance of the river from Lake Mead downstream to the Southern International Border.  The program has three goals:

▪ To conserve habitat and work toward the recovery of threatened and endangered species within the Lower Colorado River Basin, as well as reduce the likelihood of additional species listing under the Endangered Species Act

▪ To accommodate current water diversions and power production and optimize opportunities for future water and power development consistent with the law

▪ To provide a basis for incidental take permits under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act

To accomplish these goals a Program Steering Committee (which includes federal agencies; water, power, and wildlife agencies from Arizona, California, and Nevada; irrigation districts and municipalities; power providers; conservation groups; and other affected interests) developed a 50-year Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).  Official documents for the program were signed on April 4, 2005, during a ceremony at Hoover Dam.  The HCP includes the creation of approximately 8,000 acres of new habitat, augmentation of fish populations, research and adaptive management.

Increased salinity levels in the Colorado River affect agricultural, municipal and industrial users. Agricultural water users suffer economic damage due to reduced crop yields, added labor costs for irrigation management and chemical treatments and added drainage requirements. Urban users must replace plumbing and water-using appliances frequently. Industrial users and water and wastewater treatment facilities incur reductions in the useful life of system facilities and equipment. Damages in the United States are estimated at $330 million per year, and economic damage in Mexico, although not quantified, is a significant concern.

In 1972, EPA required the development of water quality standards for salinity in the Colorado River in accordance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303. The seven Colorado River basin states formed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (the Forum) in 1973. The Forum developed salinity standards for three locations in the lower Basin as well as a basin-wide plan of implementation. The EPA has approved the standards and the plan of implementation was adopted by the Colorado River basin states. The water quality standards establish a flow-weighted average annual salinity standard that must be maintained on the lower Colorado River at three locations: Below Hoover Dam (to Parker Dam); below Parker Dam (to Imperial Dam); and at Imperial Dam.

Implementation of the salinity control plan has ensured compliance with the salinity standards, while the Basin states continue to develop the water allocated to them by the Colorado River Compact. For more information regarding salinity control, visit the United States Bureau of Reclamation and Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum websites.