Bypass issues for peak/summer flows and assumptions or potential measures to make for the summer flows and example on pulse flow impacts.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Discussion Draft – Bypass Issues for Peak/Summer Flows and Example Pulse Flow Options/Impacts, Don Anderson, FWS, May 23, 2005.

Don Anderson, FWS, reviewed an analysis of the potential impacts of by-passed flows on the operation of Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s system. The FWS requested that the GC provide language for the Program document that indicates support for by-pass flows and that provides a dollar amount in the budget that could be used to cover the cost of flow bypasses. The budget would be determined based on the potential that bypass flows might be required to achieve pulse flows between 5,000 and 8,000 cfs magnitude in the central Platte River on an annual or near-annual basis. The GC appointed a subgroup to work on the language for the Program document, criteria for when bypasses might be used, and a budget estimate. The subgroup will be chaired by Mike Purcell and includes Don Kraus, Brian Barels, and Margot Zallen. The subgroup agreed to a conference call at 9:30 am MDT, June 1, 2005, to discuss their charge. The group will have a draft product ready for discussion at the June 6-7, 2005 meeting.

Potential Interim Measures for providing Program water to the Central Platte River
The GC asked Mike Purcell, Roger Patterson, Dennis Strauch, and Duane Hovorka to prepare a list of reasonable management examples that could provide water to the central Platte River until the North Platte choke point can be resolved. The example interim measures were included in an e-mail from Roger Patterson to the subgroup working on the list. Roger’s e-mail was also forwarded to the GC. Mark Butler will work directly with Roger and the subgroup to develop language supporting these examples for the Biological Opinion (BO). Mark will talk with Sharon Whitmore to see if these examples and historical flow conditions would provide enough guidance for the BO analysis related to interim measures. Mark will report back to the GC at the June 6-7 meeting.

IFR Appendix K (Item B from May 12 List of BO Needs)
The FWS and the Districts reported that they were close to an agreement on how to handle Appendix K. The two parties agreed to conduct a conference call immediately this call to finalize an agreement. The agreement will be sent to the Executive Director’s Office for distribution to the GC. The agreement will be on the agenda for the June 6-7 meeting.

Update on hydro-cycling discussions
Mark Butler provided a brief review of the Service’s discussions with the Districts regarding hydro-cycling. The Districts have made a recommendation, which is under review by the FWS. The FWS will try to complete their review and respond to the Districts by June 7.

 

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