Laserfiche WebLink
<br />K t ''- <br /> <br />(~) <br />c.::. <br />C-:;'. <br />1,-' <br />CD <br />m <br /> <br /> <br />United States Department of the Interior <br /> <br />BUREAU OF RECLAMATION <br />Upper Colorado Region <br />Western Coloru:lo Area Office <br /> <br />2764 Compass Drive. SUlle 106 <br />Grand Junction CO 81506-8785 <br /> <br />835 E 2"J Avenue. Suile 300 <br />Durango CO 81-RE'CEIVED <br /> <br />JUN 2 2 2001 <br /> <br />JUN 25 2001 <br /> <br />Colorado Waler Cooservation Board <br /> <br />WCG-JWright <br />ENV-6,OO <br /> <br />To: Interested Individuals, Organizations, and Agencies <br /> <br />Subject: Final Environmental Assessment on Proposed Short-Term, Low Flow Test <br />-Releases from NavajO Reservoir into the San Juan River <br /> <br />Enclosed is the subject Final Environmental Assessment (EA) on a plan to conduct a 5 to I 0 day test of <br />250 cubic feet per second (cfs) release from Navajo Reservoir into the San Juan River. Based on the EA, <br />Reclamation intends to execute a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and proceed with the test. <br /> <br />Reclamation plans to conduct the test beginning Monday, July 9, The releases, currently around 500 cfs, <br />will be reduced to 250 cfs for the duration of the test. The purpose of Ihe test is to analyze potential <br />impacts the low /lows may have on the river, recreation, and diversion structures, <br /> <br />Reclamation staff will monitor the conditions on Ihe nver from Navajo Dam to Shiprock, New Mexico, <br />before, during, and after the test. Once the test is over, releases from Navajo Reservoir will be gradually <br />increased until they are back at the 500 cfs level. <br /> <br />The test is part of Reclamation's environmental review process for a draft Environmental Impact <br />Statement being prepared on the operations of Navajo Dam and Reservoir. Year-round minimum /lows <br />of 250 cfs were recommended by the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program to help <br />conserve and recover the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker populations in the San <br />Juan River while protecting existing and new water development. <br /> <br />The test is of a much shorter duration than would occur under the /low recommendations, so Reclamation <br />believes impacts will be ofa short-term, reversible nature, However, Reclamation will maintain the <br />option of ending the test early if significant problems occur with water diversions, aquatic resources, or <br />other resources, or if public health or safety is being comprised by the test. <br /> <br />If you have questions or need more information, contact Ed Warner at (970) 248-0654, <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />&~ d/a~ <br /> <br />Carol DeAngelis <br />Area Manager <br /> <br />Enclosure <br />