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<br />Executive Summary <br />DEIS - Navajo Reservoir Operations <br /> <br />5-25 <br /> <br /> <br />DEIS Conclusions and Recommendations <br /> <br />After conclusion of a detailed analysis, Reclamation has selected the 250/5000 Alternative <br />as the Preferred Alternative. This alternative best meets the purpose of and need for the <br />Federal action. At the present time, mitigation measures are not included in the Preferred <br />Alternative. Potential measures to mitigate adverse impacts to fish and wildlife and <br />other resources with statutory requirements to consider mitigation are presented in the <br />DEIS. <br /> <br />Environmental Commitments <br /> <br />Potential environmental commitments associated with modifying the operations of Navajo <br />Dam and Reservoir are described below. Mitigation measures that have been developed or <br />discussed in consultation with cooperating agencies are also discussed. <br /> <br />Reservoir Operations <br /> <br />Under the Preferred Alternative, releases would range from 250 cfs to 5,000 cfs. A spring <br />peak release of 5,000 cfs is planned for most years. The summer, fall, and winter releases <br />could be as low as 250 cfs to support a target flow in the San Juan River downstream of <br />Farmington of at least 500 cfs for endangered fish habitat and to conserve water for spring <br />releases and for water development. Minimum releases would not be less than 250 cfs. <br />These releases would also help maintain a minimum 500 cfs flow downstream of Bluff, <br />Utah, benefitting river rafting. All releases would be made within the operational <br />limitations/ constraints of Navajo Dam. Release changes would be limited to increments of <br />200 cfs or 10 percent of flow, whichever is higher, every two hours. Reclamation would <br />continue a program to keep the public informed of release rates from Navajo Dam. <br /> <br />Some flexibility in reservoir releases exists because water committed for present or future <br />development is not currently used. This may be a significant amount of water in any given <br />year and would be released downstream until used for development. The release of this <br />water could be incorporated into operations to augment a 250 cfs minimum release while <br />maintaining a target flow of at least 500 cfs downstream of Farmington. It also could be <br />used to extend the duration of the spring peak release. The use of this additional water <br />would be determined through the Navajo Unit operation meetings and discussions with <br />the Service. <br /> <br />00584 <br />