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<br />.. <br /> <br />OO:A60 <br />PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />Proposed Action <br /> <br />The proposed action is for the United States to execute a contract with the DWCD to allow <br />carriage of non-project water through the Dolores Project canals and facilities. Non-project <br />water is discussed in more detail in Response No. 18 in the Consultation and Coordination <br />section of this EA. As a result ofthe execution of the contract, additional irrigation facilities <br />such as pumping stations and piped laterals to transport irrigation water would be constructed by <br />DWCD and 3,000-4,000 acres ofland would receive irrigation water. The fmal contract will <br />provide the following: <br /> <br />, <br />, <br /> <br />-The DWCD may convey all or a portion of the 6,000-8,000 acre-feet of non-project irrigation <br />water through the Dolores Project canal and lateral system; <br />-Should a lack of conveyance capacity develop in Dolores Project facilities, project water <br />deliveries would receive fust priority; and <br />-The OWeD will pay the United States for the conveyance of non-project irrigation water (water <br />rate computed based on canal and facility construction costs and facility use). <br />-Cultural resources will be protected by inventory, avoidance, and, where appropriate, treatrilent <br />under agreements with the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on <br />Historic Preservation as specified in the Cultural Resources section of this final EA. Generally, <br />all areas of proposed construction for the DWeD facilities will be inventoried for cultural <br />resources and lands to be newly irrigated will be surveyed where new earth modification that has <br />the potential to cause effects to cultural resources is projected to occur. Any sites identified will <br />be evaluated for significance and potential effects. Where there will be effects, treatment <br />measures will be developed and implemented, if avoidance is not possible. Reclamation will <br />continue to consult with Native American Tribes about the undertaking. <br />-The DWCD will be responsible for monitoring the quality of return flows from the new <br />irrigation land as recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service in the biological opinion on the <br />proposed action. This is discussed in more detail in the Consultation and Coordination section of <br />this EA (see eomments and Responses 29-30) and will be included in the fmal Carriage <br />Contract. <br />-Only presently cultivated lands will receive water under the Carriage Contract; all lands to <br />receive water will be classified, to Reclamation's land class standards, to assure their suitability <br />for irrigation. <br />-Disturbance of native vegetation by OWeD construction activities will be avoided wherever <br />possible. Gunnison sage grouse habitat will be avoided to the maximum extent possible; surveys <br />for sage grouse will be performed by a DWCD contractor prior to any disturbance of suitable <br />habitat, if avoidance is not possible. <br />-The irrigation water will be used under best management practices that include piped laterals, <br />sprinkler application, and metering of use. <br /> <br />5 <br />