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<br />0008:3 <br /> <br />Cimarron Dred~in~ Environmental Assessment <br /> <br />illustrated in Figure 4. Effects to commercial guiding services are projected to be greatest during <br />this time period as well. Therefore. avoiding dredging activities from May through September <br />would reduce the economic impact felt by commercial guides if water quality was affected as a <br />result of the proposed action. <br /> <br />Cumulative Impacts <br /> <br />Cumulative impacts are the impacts on the environment which result from the incremental <br />impact of the action, when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future <br />actions, regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other <br />actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant <br />actions taking place over a period of time. <br /> <br />Past and present activities that have affected river-related resources in the area include land <br />irrigation. urban development and recreational activities associated with construction and <br />operation of the Aspinall Unit and the Uncompahgre Project. and activities associated with the <br />Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River <br />Basin. Planned activities include the Morrow Point Reservoir trash rack cleaning project. the <br />Morrow Point Reservoir drawdown criteria project. and additional Recovery Program activities. <br /> <br />Implementation of all or any of these projects has the potential to affect the human environment <br />including but nOllimited to water quality. water rights. socioeconomics and wildlife resources. <br />Cumulative impacts associated with the'implementation of the Cimarron Dredging Project are <br />anticipated to be short-term and too small to measure. <br /> <br />Summarv and Environmental Commitments <br /> <br />In summary. the primary effect of the proposed action would be to restore the channel of the <br />Gunnison River to its 1965 elevation thus improving power generation efficiencies. The project <br />is designed and would be implemented to avoid or reduce impacts or harm to recreation. fish and <br />wildlife resources, water quality. and power production. There will be no effect on water rights, <br />water uses, or water supplies. <br /> <br />The following environmental and social/economic commitments are included in the project plan. <br /> <br />-All construction contracts would have "Stop Work" clauses that would require the contractor to <br />stop dredging activities if threatened or endangered species were encountered. If this would <br />occur, construction would be halted until additional consultation with the Service was completed. <br /> <br />-All construction contracts would have "SlOp Work" clauses that would require the contractor to <br />stop construction activities if cultural resources were encountered or affected. If this would <br />occur, construction would be halted until consultation with the State Historical Preservation <br />Officer was completed. <br /> <br />19 <br />