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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />V. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES <br /> <br />The environmental impacts of executing an agreement <br />between OMID, GVWUA, State agencies, and the Bureau of <br />Reclamation related to the operation of the OMID "check" would <br />be considered in the planning of the agreement. Operation of <br />the "check" can affect stream flow in the Colorado River <br />downstream from the Blue River. Effects on the river <br />downstream from the Grand Valley Diversion Dam are the primary <br />concern because of the existence of fish species classified as <br />endangered under the Endangered Species Act. <br /> <br />Pre- and post-agreement flow tables would be developed <br />to estimate river flow changes at selected river locations <br />resulting from the agreement. Pre-agreement flows should <br />represent 1988 operation procedures rather ahan historic <br />"check" operations because under a no-action (no agreement) <br />scenario, 1988 operation criteria would continue. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance <br />document would be completed prior to execution of the <br />agreement. An environmental assessment would be prepared <br />first, followed by either a Finding of No Significant Impact <br />or a draft and final environmental impact statement. The <br />primary issue addressed would be river operations, but any <br />proposed structural changes would also be considered. A <br />biological assessment would be prepared on the effect of the <br />agreement on Colorado River endangered fishes and this would <br />be provided to the fish and Wildlife Service who would issue a <br />Biological Opinion. The Fish and Wildlife Service would also <br />provide a Planning Aid Memorandum under the Fish and Wildlife <br />Coordination Act, on the overall effects of the agreement on <br />fish and wildlife. <br /> <br />The Bureau of Reclamation would serve as the lead <br />Federal agency in preparing the NEPA compliance documents on <br />the agreement. <br /> <br />- 20 - <br />