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0017 5 Revised Supplemental Draft Environmental Assessment-Chapter 3-Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences in and take-out sites and trails to manage river access to reduce the amount of riparian disturbance. Recreational interests envision a world class whitewater park possibly managed by the Town of Palisade with a developed parking area downstream of the dam and public restrooms. The whitewater park is not included in this alternative, but could be developed in the future with adequate funding and agreements between recreational interests, the Town of Palisade, CDOT and E.R. Jacobson. Dam Removal: The contract for dam removal would also require Section 404 permits for riprap placement for erosion protection and temporary cofferdams for construction dewatering. Revegetation of disturbed areas would rapidly mitigate losses of vegetation. Fish and Wildlife Resources The affected area, for purposes of assessing impacts to fish and wildlife, correspond to the 100-year floodplain of the Colorado River from the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam upstream to Rifle. There are no significant concerns for project effects on fish and wildlife resources in general; concerns focus on avoiding adverse impacts to endangered species (Service, 1 999a), as well as complementing efforts to esta1:>lish self-sustaining populations of endangered Colorado River fish species. No Federally listed threatened or endangered mammals or plants are known to occur in the project area that would be affected by the proposed action. The bald eagle is a regular winter visitor to the Colorado River corridor that occasionally perches and roosts in large cottonwood trees along the river. A mature cottonwood tree is present in the vicinity of the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam, however bald eagle use of this tree has not been observed. Reclamation has concluded that the proposed action would have no effect on bald eagle. Construction contracts would require work to stop if activities are thought to be affecting any listed species. Effects on Endangered Colorado River Fishes Issue: Providing fish passage at the dam is needed to allow endangered fish access to upstream habitat (see page 3). Passage actions should complement other Recovery Program efforts such as stocking of endangered fish, controlling competition or predation by nonnative fish, and restoring habitat. Existing Conditions: The Price-Stubb prevents access by endangered fish to suitable habitat upstream. Two of the four endangered Colorado River fishes, the humpback chub and bonytail, do not occur in the reach of the Colorado River involved in this fish passage project. However, the Recovery Program plans to stock bonytail 46