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00 tD ~ o I;;; di'~ ~~{l ~?J ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SUMMARY would be utilized by fewer species although they could become important use areas by migrating and wintering waterfowl. Game species would not be significantly impacted by any of the candidate plans. Plans to acquire and develop wildlife habitat under alternatives 3 and 9 would reduce net habitat losses. plans 3 and 9 would inundate riverbottom habitat that provides habitat for wintering populations of the endangered bald eagle, while plans 7 and 8 would preserve this habitat. Reservoirs under plans 3 and 9 would be utilized by the eagles but a net loss of habitat is assumed at this time. Fisheries A diverse warm-water fishery exists in the lower Gunnison River. Trout are found in the project area but are limited by turbid water and warm temperatures. A small resident population of the endangered Colorado squawfish occurs in the project area. Development of plans 7 or 8 would not result in any significant changes in fishery resources. A warm-water fishery would be developed in Dominguez Reservoir under plans 3 and 9 and a cool-water fishery would be developed downstream from the dams. Fisherman use would be significantly increased over present conditions both in the reservoir basin and downstream. Most' of the fish that occupy the 24 and 34 ,miles of river respec- 'tively to be inundated under plans 3 and 9 would adapt well to reservoir , conditions. The endangered Colorado squawfish would be expected to continue to exist as a small population in the Gunnison River under plan 3 and possibly plan 9. Plan 3 would not significantly affect the endangered fishes downstream in the Colorado River while large depletions from plan 9 could have significant adverse effects. Recreation and aesthetics The immediate project area is remote offering recreation in a natural setting within a relatively short distance from either of the cities of Grand Junction or Delta. Existing uses include boating on the river, hiking in side canyons, and hunting. More that 4,000 boating/ rafting recreation days and more that 2,000 hik~ng recreation days of use have been projected for the area without project development. Plans 7 and 8 would increase existing use by providing facili- ties for river floating, and in addition plan 8 woulrecreation-oriented lake. Reservoir al ternatives (plans 3 and 9) would inundate some outstanding landscape 'features although the reservoir created would be quite scenic. The reservoir plans would provide 860,000 recreation days of use annually. viii