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, , :;~~\. :j) JDt ~.:..'.;) I. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION A. Purpose The purpose of this action is to upgrad.e ex~st~ng Natiollal Forest and county roads in the Dolores Project area. This action is taKing place because McPhee Dam and Reservoir will inundate access to private lana ann the National Forest. II. ALTERNATIVES A. Background The construction of McPhee Reservoir (scheau1ed for complet~on in 1984) will cause the relocation of Forest Service and Montezuma and Dolores County roads. The original plan for this relocat~on (see the Final Environmental Statement, INT FES 77-12) was abandoned when more de- tailed studies of the geology of the road alignment were conducced. The original plan called for a road across McPhee Dam to Dry Creek Canyon Road. This road would cross the Morrison Formation, which is highly un- stable and not suited for a permanent road system. As a result of these findings, a new plan was developed by a multi-agency team. Meet~ngs hela invo1 ved the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)', U.S. Forest Service, u.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montezuma and Dolores Counties, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The alternative plan developed is to use the exist~ng Forest tier- vice and county road system. The plan calls for the upgrading of four existing roads, reconstruction of one arterial route by reducing curves and grades, and improving the surface of the roads for all-weatner traf fic. The roads would conform to county and Forest tiervice staIloards. They would be designed as permanent roads that would provide access to McPhee Dam, private land, and to the San Juan National Forest. Gravel would be excavated from sources close to the project area. Three potential sources have been identified: Ormiston Point Gravel Pit, Dolores-Norwood Gravel Pit, and McPnee Reservoir Gravel Pit. Presently it is not known whether more than one of the three sources woula be required. The Dolores-Norwood Gravel Pit and McPhee Reservoir site are existing sources of gravel. The ormiston Point s~te w~ll rece~ve cultural resource clearance by the Cortez Construction Office. No bodies of water would be affected by operations at tnis site. Ditches along parts of these roads will be cleared of debris ma- terial and enlarged in conjunction with the upgrading roan worK. Exca- vated material would be used on the road surface to bring toe roads to tne proper grade. will feet that On all of the roadways to be improved or constructen, discurbance be to a maximium of five feet horizontally beyond cut slopes and six horizontally beyond fill shoulders. rhese l~m~cat~ons will ensure the surrounding areas will be disturbed as little as possio1e. 1