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<br />.' <br /> <br />should be obtained from them. The salinity program has an interagency coordinating <br />committee to assure program coordination. <br /> <br />Comment 3: "The discussion of relationships with other projects should include reference to <br />the AB Lateral Hydroelectric Project and its proposed mitigation measures...." (Clark) <br /> <br />Response 3: A discussion was added. <br /> <br />Comment 4: "The EA should address the potential, if any, for small diameter hydroelectric <br />power generation from within the piped laterals.' (Clark) <br /> <br />Response 4: Reclamation cannot pursue hydropower potential without specific authorization <br />by Congress. As evidenced by the AB Lateral Project, proposals for development of <br />hydropower facilities are welcome, with projects accommodated to the extent that authorized <br />functions of Reclamation projects are not impaired. Using a turbine/generator within a pipe <br />could generate 20 to 45 kilowatts at a check structure with 10 feet of head and 30 to 60 cfs <br />of flow. Annual revenue could be $3,000 to $8,000. <br /> <br />Comment 5: "There should be specific consideration given to achieving program objectives <br />with wetland constroction or modification for the functions of water quality improvement and <br />heavy metal trapping in the project area." (Clark) <br /> <br />Response 5: In the section "Relationship with other Projects," we added a discussion on <br />suspected correlation between salinity and selenium loading, and on potential opportunities to <br />coordinate activities for this project and the Department of the Interior's National Irrigation <br />Water Quality Program. Candidate areas for habitat replacement will be screened and <br />development planned to ensure they will not increase, and might help reduce, potential <br />problems with both salt loading and heavy metal trapping. <br /> <br />Lands and Rights-oj-way <br /> <br />Comment 6: "The CWCB understands that acquisition of land for new right-of-way where <br />necessary for lateral realignment will be carried out by the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users <br />Association. The CWCB supports this approach and believes it will alleviate many potential <br />sources of conflict and apprehension.... The water rights appurtenant to any irrigated lands <br />acquired for ROW pUlposes should remain under control of local water users or the <br />UVWUA. Further when acquisition of new ROW allows abandonment of existing ROW <br />those lands should be reconveyed to adjacent landowners, if possible." (CWCB) <br /> <br />Response 6: You are correct. In acquiring land interests for the lateral improvements, the <br />UVWUA will use procedures approved by the U.S. Subscriptive and reserved rights-of-way <br />are normally acquired in the name of the U.S. Rights to water appurtenant to land interests <br />will not be affected by this process. The disposal of land interests no longer needed for <br />project pUlposes will be determined after construction is complete. <br /> <br />32 <br />