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. . . , " " ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE TAYLOR PARK RESERVOIR OPERATION AND STORAGE AGREEMENT A. Description of the Proposal . This assessment has been prepared to evaluate environmental impacts for a proposed agreement concerning flow and storage waters in the Upper Gunnison River drainage. The agreement specifically deals with operation of Taylor Park Reservoir and exhange of water between the Uncompahgre Water Users Association, the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, and the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. The agreement provides that: 1) the Uncompahgre Water . Users may exchange waters from Taylor Park Reservoir for credit in the three reservoirs of the Curecanti Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project; 2) the Uncompahgre Water Users and the United States would coordinate releases of water from the Taylor Park Reservoir for the operational goals of stabilizing Taylor and Gunnison River flows, to provide flood control and irrigation uses, and enhance fishery and recreation uses; 3) 'no sale, lease, or exchange of water from Taylor Park Reservoir would be made by the Uncompahgre Water Users without ~rit:e,- consent of the United States and the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancv District; and 4) the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District can apply for water rights on surplus flows of the Taylor River above Taylor Park Reservoir, and if these rights are granted, Taylor Park Reservoir would be operated to assist in storage and regulation of these appropriated waters provided original reservoir purposes are acco~ociated. Under an?ther agreement the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District has a current water exchange prngram with the Curecanti Unit. Construction of the Curecanti Unit provides storage for Gunnison River water and makes possible alternatives in release patterns for stabilization of stream flows in the Taylor River. Since completion of the Blue Mesa Reservoir portion of the Curecanti Unit some adjustments have already been made in Taylor Park Reservoir operation. Benefits of the proposed agreement would be to stabilize stream flo~s and establish a flow pattern which would enhance the fishery and recreational uses. These benefits would be derived in conjunction with providing for flood control and irrigation uses. The agreement would also insure a continuity of the federal aid fishery study now being conducted on the Taylor River by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The flow pattern changes envisioned, which would enhance the Tavlor River stream fishery and recreational uses, would closely resemble the natural flow pattern. This pattern is typified by high spring flows, lower fall flows and uniform winter flows. .