Was it FERC, FUBAR, or a LIE?

(Editors Note: There's enough blame to share all around in the Grand Lake drawdown incident. Having attempted to get through to a FERC official for the past two weeks, we know that this government organization has communications problems; we also realize that GRDA wants to get some hydro generation back on line; and Senator Inhofe's comment that GRDA is lying is simply pandering to the voters. We know personally most of the GRDA management mentioned in these articles and we seriously doubt they would deliberately lie about anything as serious as the lake level. Having said that, we present below for your listening and dancing pleasure, some of the news on this subject. However, we remain convinced that it was a matter of communication between the engineers and GRDA)

It wasn't FERC, after all, just a consulting engineer's recommendation to GRDA that Grand Lake be drawn down to elevation 738 to fill Lake Hudson and the W.R. Holway Reservoir.
How this FUBAR happened has not yet been explained, but GRDA is working on a plan to avoid this kind of incident in the future, Justin Alberty, GRDA Media spokesperson, said this week.
(Note: FUBAR means "fouled up beyond all recognition" or similar.)

"The drawdown plan we announced early last week was the result of a misunderstanding that we were required to follow the engineer’s recommendations to protect the structural integrity of the reservoir’s earthen dam," said GRDA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Easley, "and GRDA regrets any hardship this might have caused Grand Lake property owners."
However, with the misunderstanding surrounding the refill timetable now clarified, Easley said GRDA has made the decision to submit a refill plan that takes spring rains into consideration.
When GRDA first announced the drawdown and said it was to avoid damage to the earthen dam, The Observer contacted Bill Holway, who worked on the project in the 1960's, and is the son of W.R. Holway, the lake's namesake. He said he doubted that anything would happen to the dam…"that old dirt is tough."
Our attempts to get a statement out of FERC were a waste of time, as emails were tersely answered with one sentence…"we have forwarded your email to the proper person." (whoever that is)
"FERC informed us an immediate refill of the reservoir is not necessary," said Easley, "and I am relieved to report we can postpone this until lake levels return to normal. Then, when we do begin, it will be based on a joint schedule with FERC."
Easley added that a recent reorganization of certain responsibilities at GRDA will help prevent similar miscommunications with FERC in the future.
This week, US Senator Jim Inhofe sent a letter to Grand Lake stakeholders, as follows:
"Recently, a serious situation has presented itself involving management of the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that demands clarification for the benefit of all stakeholders. I am sorry that I have to be involved in this matter, but I can no longer stand by and allow GRDA to misrepresent the facts with regard to the federal government’s (i.e. FERC’s) role in these issues.In a recent press release GRDA referenced a supposed FERC mandate ordering the GRDA to refill the W.R. Holway Reservoir. Within this press release the management of GRDA explained that such refilling of the reservoir would be necessary in the interests of dam safety, insinuating that the refilling was a requirement mandated by a FERC regulation. Soon after the publication of this news my office was flooded with calls from irate constituents concerned with the effect this “mandated” refilling would have on lake levels and more specifically the status of their docks. The truth is, FERC never mandated the filling of the reservoir but moreover, GRDA must seek FERC’s permission to take such an action. Originally, FERC requested that repairs be made on some pumps located within the reservoir system. However, the management of the GRDA chose to misrepresent this request in an effort to gain public approval to fill the reservoir, ultimately resulting in GRDA profit and inflicting great damage on Grand Lake. Put simply, GRDA has attempted to utilize the federal government and the FERC as a scapegoat for lining their own pockets at the expense of Grand Lake residents and businesses. Again, it is with great sadness that I take up this issue and be forced to pen this letter, but it is my feeling that the Grand Lake Stakeholders have been deliberately mislead by the GRDA management. While that is the bad news, there is some good at the GRDA. He is forthright, honest, and responsive to stakeholders, his name is Bob Sullivan. I want to thank Mr. Sullivan for his honesty in this matter and I look forward to working with him on similar issues in the future." Sincerely, Jim Inhofe (U.S.S.)