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roc f'l 't 7 I 3 uo10 " Revised Supplemental Draft Environmental Assessment-Chapter 3-Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences recreational interests, additional easements from E.R. Jacobson and CDOT would be required. The whitewater park is not included as part of Reclamation's proposed action, however it is discussed in greater detail in the cumulative impacts section of this chapter. The Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Features would attract to use this stretch of the river with boaters accessing the Colorado River upstream of the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam from the Colorado River State Park-Island Acres. This alternative would allow uninterrupted boating to Westwater Canyon in Utah, a distance of about 64 miles. Dam Removal: As discussed ~n the other action alternatives, access, and/or land use agreements would be necessary from all the owners identified above. Construction access would be required from CDOT, Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts, the Union Pacific Railroad, and E.R. Jacobson. Permission from Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts to remove the dam would also be required; the Palisade Irrigation District has opposed dam removal. Unique Geographic Features To meet requirements of environmental laws and U.S. Department of the Interior policies, Reclamation specifically addresses potential impacts of any proposed action on unique geographic features-which include prime and unique farmland, wild or scenic rivers, rivers placed on the nationwide river inventory, refuges, floodplains or wetlands. Providing for fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam would have no effect on prime or unique farmland. Affected reaches of the Colorado River are not under study or recommendation for designation as a wild or scenic river. Similarly, no refuge exists in the affected area. However, each alternative involves actions that would take place in the Colorado River and its 1 DO-year floodplain. Floodplain and Wetland Protection Issue: The Colorado River provides highly valued habitat and floodplain functions that need to be considered as fish passage is restored. Existing Conditions: The surface area of the pool upstream of the dam is about one acre, and the riverbank is protected from erosion by riprap along the highway and railroad beds. The plunge pool at the base of the dam is deep, and a long riffle reach extends downstream. Deposition and transportation of sediment in the river depends on variations in seasonal and annual river flows. Narrow strips dominated by willow and tamarisk occur along the river, but very little riparian vegetation is in the construction area at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam. A small patch of shrubs and a mature cottonwood tree at the dam may be of importance to birds. 44