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<br />TH~RANGO D~VERS~ AL~ERNATIVE PLAN <br /> <br />The following paregraphs describe an elternative plan that has <br />evolved after many months of citizens input into the Bureeu of <br />Reclamation's plan formulation process. It is not the final plan;' <br />however, it is an example of the opportunities that exist for im- <br />proving the project through reformulation. When compared with the <br />Authorizing Plan, it has: (1) introduced the production of hydro- <br />electric power to perform project pumping, (2) increased the scale <br />of municipal and industrial water development, (3) decreased the <br />salt contribution to the Colorado River, (4) increased recreation <br />and fish and wildlife values; (5) provided a pressurized underground <br />distribution system that improves irrigation efficiencies, and (6) <br />reduced environmental impacts, including the construction of a <br />lengthy diversion canal in the scenic Animas River Canyon. <br /> <br /> <br />The Durango Diversion Plan would utilize the Ridges Basin Dam and <br />Reservoir as the main storage feature on the project. Animas River <br />water would be pumped into the Ridges Basin Reservoir by the Durango <br />Pumping Plant just south of Durango. Municipal and industrial water <br />for Durango would be supplied from Ridges Basin Reservoir. <br /> <br />The Ridges Basin Pumping Plant and Ridges Basin Canal would convey <br />stored water from the reservoir to the La Plata River drainage, where <br />it would be utilized for irrigation and for resource development on <br />the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. Hay Gulch Reservoir would <br />provide terminal storage for the Dryside area. The La Plata Diver- <br />sion Dam and La Plata Canal would divert additional water to Hay <br />Gulch from the La Plate River. Power would be generated at the <br />potential Animes Power plant and utilized along with minor supple- <br />mental power purchases from CRSP to provide power for project pumping. <br /> <br />~ <br />4 <br />~I <br />, <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />Municipal and industrial water for Shiprock, Farmington and Aztec, <br />New Mexico would be supplied by direct flow from the Animas River. <br />Releases from Ridges Basin Reservoir would be made to the Animas <br /> <br />3 <br />