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liJJ533 Proposed Action (BUP Releases) Grand Valley. Releases made through the proposed agreement would supply needed irrigation to complete growing late season row crops and provide irrigation to overwinter orchards and vineyards. Because the HUP is still anticipated to be short several thousand acre-feet of water this year, some crop losses would still be expected, but the impacts would be considerably less under this alternative than under No Action. Roaring Fork Valley. Some impacts to the Basalt area economy would be anticipated due to both the degraded recreation experience at Ruedi Reservoir and the above 250 cfs flows in the Fryingpan River. The 250-300 cfs flows in the Fryingpan may limit or degrade fishing, although this may not be substantial given the relatively small increment over 250 cfs that is anticipated. Nevertheless, the Proposed Action may result in losses of recreation visitors and revenues derived from visitors' purchases. However, effects of low water levels at Ruedi Reservoir are expected to be only slightly more than under the No Action alternative. Net Effects The Proposed Action would provide needed water to sustain irrigated crops in Mesa County but may also have a minor negative impact on the Basalt area economy, beyond that anticipated under No Action, due to impacts on recreation. HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION Affected Environment The City of Aspen is licensed by FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) to operate a hydropower facility at Ruedi Dam and Reservoir. The FERC license recognizes that Aspen's hydropower production objectives are subordinate to other uses but allows Aspen to generate electricity with any flows resulting from operation of the reservoir. Aspen's facility has a maximum design capacity of approximately 300 cfs. However, based on information from High Country Engineering who operates the plant, equipment limitations make it undesirable to operate the plant at flows in excess of 250 cfs. Releases above 250 cfs bypass the facility. Similarly, the power plant is not able to operate with flows less than 40 cfs (High Country Engineering., 2001) No Action Alternative Ruedi releases are expected to be less than 250 cfs though the late summer and early fall months. Consequently, releases would not exceed the hydropower plants capacity, so Aspen would be able to make full use of the releases. Because winter flows are anticipated to be the lesser of 39 cfs or reservoir inflows, the plant is not anticipated to be able to operate during the months of November to March. 23