The Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement (GCDEIS) is completed and soon will be signed into effect by Secretary Babbitt, bringing the work of Glen Canyon Environmental Studies (GCES) to a close. As a result, scientific work along the river in Grand Canyon is going through a major transition. The following is an update on that transition, as one research institution is phased-out and another one is phased-in. You probably have some questions, like: what is the role of GCRG in that process? and, do we have to learn new acronyms? So, here goes...
For 14 years now, the GCES program led by Dave Wegner and the Bureau of Reclamation has conducted and overseen all of the scientific and monitoring work needed to produce the Environmental Impact Statement. Dave and his team deserve a huge round of applause for the incredible level of commitment and energy they’ve given to Glen and Grand Canyons over the years. Make that a standing ovation.
GCES has finished its job, though, and as of September 30, 1996, is no longer leading research efforts along the river. Does that mean no more river science? Not a chance.
As many of you know, the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 (which we helped push through Congress) requires that a river monitoring program be established in order to stay abreast of the dam’s influence on the dynamic and ever-changing ecosystem. To accomplish this task, the GCDEIS proposed an Adaptive Management Program. The core group of people in this program will be the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), which will consist of representatives from an eclectic consortium of tribes, government agencies, states, hydropower, environmental, and recreational groups. Grand Canyon River Guides will likely be chosen by the Secretary to sit on the AMWG as one of two groups representing recreational interests on the river. I know what you’re thinking now, “oh wonderful, another high profile, super important and glorious unpaid position”. Yep, but you get gas and lunch money.

Andre Potochnik

Under the Adaptive Management Program, the role of doing river monitoring and research will be handed to the newly-formed Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) under the leadership of Dave Garrett. All GCMRC study programs will respond to needs identified by the AMWG. The whole shebang will answer directly to the Secretary of the Interior’s office. The GCES program will remain intact during the coming months long enough to ensure a (hopefully) seamless transition with the GCMRC.
During this transition and over the next two years a major synthesis of previous scientific work is being planned, something everyone agrees is still needed. Meanwhile, we are attending meetings...lots of them these days, to help the AMWG identify monitoring and research objectives and to help scientists identify the studies necessary to accomplish those objectives. Make sense? It’s basically a process by which people and ideas bounce back and forth long enough to reach consensus and move forward with a plan.
GCRG intends to continue to play an active role in helping to design the new monitoring and research program, one which serves the needs of the Grand Canyon, its beaches, critters and people, while not being too intrusive or expensive. If you’re interested in being involved, please give us a call. We are forming a Science Monitoring Group that will develop our positions on research and monitoring in Grand Canyon. You will need to learn to speak in acronyms, of course. Pop quiz: know what SNAFU stands for?