Laserfiche WebLink
<br />QD1sn9 <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />Public Scoping Comments, Gunnison River Contract, cont. <br /> <br />:)~~(f~.;: <br />..~:' ,,:', <br /> <br />18d. BUTTER: p2,'S. 9) The Aspinall Unit has resulted in substantial economic benefits to <br />western Colorado. These benefits have been manifested as increased tourism, public power, and <br />irrigation water supplies, What are the' estimated economic losses to these and other industries which <br />have benefitted from Aspinall waters? <br /> <br />STUDY. BUTTER: p2,'5. 9) The Aspinall Unit has resulted in substantial economic <br />benefits to western Colorado. These benefits have been manifested as increased tourism, <br />public power. and irrigation water supplies, What are the estimated economic losses to these <br />and other industries which have benefitted from Aspinall waters? <br /> <br />14a. BUTTER; pl,'2. I) In its EIS for Wild and Scenic Slatus, the NPS (1979) suggested that <br />the river is unusable for rafting purposes at high flows. What effect will the proposed action have on <br />rafting use within the Gunnison Gorge? Will there be economic losses or gains resulting from the <br />higher spring flows? <br /> <br />18. BU"ITER; pl,'2. I) In its EIS for Wild and Scenic status, the NPS (1979) suggested that <br />the river is unusable for rafting purposes at high flows. What effect will the proposed action have on <br />rafting use within the Gunnison Gorge? Will there be economic losses or gains resulting from the <br />higher spring flows? <br /> <br />..'.-, , '~; <br />';..<.:::...;. <br /> <br />16a1. BUTTER; pl.'3. 2) Higher releases during the spring may exacerbate flooding conditions <br />below the river's confluence with the North Fork and Uncompahgre Rivers. How will the releases be <br />timed or controlled to minimize flood damages? <br /> <br />;".:..:.;:- <br /> <br />ISd. BUTTER; pl,'4. 3) For the past 27 years, flows in the river have been relatively stable, <br />implying that bank vegetation and habilat have grown accustomed to the present hydrologic regime. <br />What changes will occur to the vegetation if the hydrologic regime, is altered? Will the existing <br />vegetation be scoured away? If not, will the vegetation increase water surface elevations and flooding? <br />How will species distribution and diversity be altered? Will these changes enhance the opportunity for <br />establishment of invasive species such as tamarisk? <br /> <br />13c. BU"ITER; pI, '5. 4) Will the higher spring flows result in increased bank erosion and/or <br />channel scour? If so, what effects will this have on downstream water quality? Will concentrations of <br />salts and/or heavy metals increase? How will such effects be mitigated? <br /> <br />20b. BU"ITER; pl,'5., 4) Will the higher spring flows result in increased bank erosion and/or <br />channel scour? If so, what effectS will this have on downstream water quality? Will concentrations of <br />salts and/or heavy metals increase? How will such effects be mitigated? <br /> <br />14c. BU"ITER; p2,'1. 5) The relatively stable hydrologic regime has resulted in the Gunnison <br />River becoming one of the finest trout fisheries in the nation. It would appear that by increasing flows <br />and channel velocities, available spawning habitat may be lost and survival rates for fry may be <br />reduced. How will the proposed action affect this fishery? How will these effects be mitigated? If <br />losses are expected, will the economic effect of tbese losses be estimated? <br /> <br />5.". <br />.;:J.::.-' <br /> <br />.~;.>..' <br /> <br />31 <br />