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OUIG34 Revised Supplemental Draft Environmental Assessment-Chapter 3-Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Conventional Fish Ladder: As described in the No Action, constructing a fish ladder around the diversion dam would not change the existing safety hazard. Downstream Rock Fish Passage: This alternative would reduce the safety hazard with signage and installation of log boom type barrier upstream of the fish passage exit to prevent boaters from attempting to float through the fish passage. Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Recreation Features: This alternative would further reduce safety hazards with the construction of whitewater features by providing defined routes for novice and experience boaters. Non-Recovery Program funding would be used to construct these features. Recreational interests would maintain the whitewater features, remove debris, and address other safety issues as they anse. Dam Removal: Removal would eliminate the dam safety hazard. After removal ofthe dam, the river channel would be typical of similar sections ofthe Colorado River. All protruding rebar would be removed from the remaining concrete. Riprap would be placed at each abutment to eliminate any vertical concrete faces. The riprap would create sloped surfaces similar to the river banks upstream and downstream ofthe abutments. In conjunction with dam removal, one of the mitigation measure options for protecting the ability of Ute Water to pump from the Colorado River (see Page 19) would be implemented. Option 1 and 2 would have no effect on recreation. However, designs for option 3, which involves constructing a low head dam immediately downstream from the pump plant, would consider boater safety. Land and Facility Resources During construction of any of the action alternatives, an increase in noise and traffic would occur. To date, Reclamation has not been advised of concerns for disturbances during construction. Any complaints would be resolved on a case-by-case basis. The Colorado Department of Transportation has advised Reclamation that access to the site from Interstate 70 would not be granted. Protecting Existing Structures The fish passage project could affect four existing structures in the project area; 1) the Union Pacific Railroad on the right bank of the river, 2) the Interstate 70 Highway on the left bank, 3) the Ute Water pump plant, and 4) the Colorado River Siphon located about 3,600 feet upstream from the dam. The Interstate, railroad, and siphon were built considering river flow and stream bank conditions that existed with the dam in place. Reclamation constructed the siphon, which is a pipeline under the riverbed of the 35