WSP11417 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~'" ~~:,) i!l,:"~ "'fi;~; asked to analyze the temporary construction impacts of the project and to recom- mend techniques and proceedures that could help the area ,cope with these impacts. As an example, when Navajo Dam was built, the prime contractor ~uilt a temporary trailer park for construction employees. After the project>i'a;$;completed, the park was obliterated and landscaped. Temporary school buildings might be used. The ARPC would not be asked to make a decision as to whether to build the project. Approval of the project involves the following: (l)forrnation of a new water conservancy district, which is a petition process but goes to an election if there is a counter petition, (2)a mandatory election of the people within the new conservancy district boundary to ratify a project repayment contract and (3) congressional appropriation of construction funds. As later discussed under the heading of "Energy Impacts".Iconstruction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Southern ute Reservation near the Colorado-New Mexico line, approximately 30 miles from Durango, could very probably begin about the time project construction ends. It could have a tapering effect where project construction workers would start shifting closer to Farmington and ease the other- wise sharp drop off in employment in La Plata County. Before I finish my prepared statement, I will explain why I am a strong sup- porter of the project even though I am concerned about growth impacts during con- struction. Environmental Impacts Downstream Boating Project diversion will shorten the boating and rafting season on the Animas River downstream from Durango. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates an annual loss in revenue from these activities of about $37,000. However, PrestoR Ellsworth of Colorado Rivers, Inc. states he feels that figure is low. Fishery The project will bypass a m~n~murn of 125 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Durango diversion site during October through March and 250 cfs during April through September. Diversions from the Animas River will never exceed 430 cfs. Joint studies prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation, Federal Fish and Wild- life and New Mexico Game and Fish Department indicate that depletions of the Animas River by the project would have a negligible effect on the trout population and an estimated ten percent recuction in the sucker population. Recreation facilities at Ridges Basin and Southern Ute Reservoirs will in- clude swimming beaches, boat ramps, marinas and docks, and limited overnight camp units. Angler and other recreation use at Ridges Basin Reservoir is estimated to total 245,000 days annually and would generate approximately $900,000 in revenue. Comparable figures for Southern Ute Reservoir are 110,000 days use and $237,000 of revenue. Salinity In the process of reformulating the project plan after authorization in 1968, highly saline lands were left out and sprinkler irrigation was introduced into the plan. Thesechanges resulted in more than a tenfold reduction in salt contribution to the Colorado River. The project will now have the effect of increasing the sal- inity of the Colorado River at Imperial Darn by about 17 milograms per liter. Big Game Ridges Basin Reservoir site is currently owned by the Colorado Division of wildlife and is used as a wildlife management area. The project will utilize a- bout 4,000 acres of that area and will destroy habitat that would support about 150 elk and 150 deer. The Division has indicated it will accept viable wildlife lands from willing sellers anywhere in the State of Colorado in exchange for the 4,000 acres needed by the project. The Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, who -2-