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001535 Public Scoping Comments, Gunnison River Contract, conI. "";:~:'" ,~.q\!';f:) The proposed contract cannot be fInalized until the water requirements for endangered fish recovery are known. 6. GREENO+; p5,'5. (Issue D. Endangered Fish Recovery, cont). Although the endangered fish studies and subsequent Biological Opinion are not expected to be completed for five or more years, we support the effort to begin NEP A compliance and negotiation of an interim contract. This work will help to frame all of the relevant'issues and speed up the fInal negotiations when the Biological Opinion is completed. Care should be taken, however, to maintain the viability of all courses of action needed ' to assure the recovery of tbe endangered fish, 22. GREENO+'; p5,'5. (Issue D. Endangered Fish Recovery, cont). Although the endangered fish studies and subsequent Biological Opinion are not expected to be completed. for five or more years, we support the effort to begin NEP A compliance and negotiation of an interim contracl. This work will help to fraine all of the relevant issues and speed up the final negotiations when the Biological Opinion is completed.' Care should be taken, however, to maintain the viability of all courses of action' needed to assure the recovery of the endangered fish. 8. GREENO+; p6,'1. (Issue D. Endangered Fish Recovery, cont) The contract and EIS should clearly state the relationship between the flows provided for endangered fish as a result of the current negotiations and any past agreements. Mitigation of the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects included agreements by the Bureau of Reclamation to make releases totalling] 48,000 acre-feet (annually?) from the Aspinall Unit for the benefit of endangered fisb. These releases should be: (a) specifically accounted. for in the contract and (b) included in the discussion of environmental impacts and assessment of water supply in the EIS. ,"_:'u. :;',' ~>;~.~,1 ..:..."::..... '-',':. lb. GREENO+; p6,'J. (Issue D. Endangered Fish Recovery, cont) The contract and EIS should clearly slate the relationship between the flows provided for endangered fish as a result of the current negotiations and any past agreements. Mitigation of the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects included agreements by the Bureau of Reclamation to make releases totalling 148,000 acre-feet (annually?) from the Aspinall Unit for the benefit of endangered ,fish. These releases should'be: ' (a) specifically accounted for in th~' contract and (b) included in. the discussion of environmental impacts and assessment of water supply in the E1S. 14a. GREENO+; p6,'J. (Issue D. Endangered Fish Recovery, cont) The contract and EIS should clearly state the relationship between the flows provided for endangered fish as a result of the current negotiations and any past agreements. Mitigation of the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects included agreements by the Bureau of Reclamation to make releases totalling 148,000 acre-feet (annually?) from the Aspinall Unit for the benefit of endangered fish. These releases should be: (a) specifically accounted for in the contract and (b) included in the discussion of environmental impacts and assessment of water supply in the EIS. 4. GREENO+; p6, '2. Issue E. Protection of Gunnison Goree - The same values listed in Section C above should be protected in the Bureau of l.lmd Management's recommended Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area. Although tbe Bureau of l.lmd Management claims no reserved water right, it is required under the Federal l.lmd Policy and Management Act and other stalules to protect environmental and recreational values on public lands. The Colorado Water Conservation Board and other state agencies also bave obligations to protect the public interest and environmental values in their decision making. '/. '.-:. 57