WSPC138

• File Number: 8240.200.44.L
• Description: CO River Threatened-Endangered - RIPRAP - Green Mountain-Grand Valley-Orchard Mesa - Reports-Data-Et
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 8/14/2002
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Reudi Reservoir Agreements to Offset HUP Shortages at Green Mountain Reservoir - Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment - 08-14-02
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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FONS! No. EC-1300-02-03

INTRODUCTION

This FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) describes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's
environmental conclusions regarding a proposal to enter into two agreements that would make up
to 10,000 AF (acre-feet) of water from Ruedi Reservoir available to partially offset a shortage in
the HUP (historic users pool) of Green Mountain Reservoir. Environmental ~ffects of the
Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative were evaluated in accordance with the provisions
of NEP A (National Environmental Policy Act), and are documented in an EA (EnvirOlunental
Assessment).

The purpose for the Proposed Action is to make available, if needed, up to 10,000 AF of water
from Ruedi Reservoir to partially offset Green Mountain water that is unavailable to HUP
beneficiaries. Green Mountain is operating under a drawdown liinitation iniposed to prevent
aggravating a landslide condition along the reservoir that could impact homes and businesses in
the vicinity. This operating limitation, combined with a continuing drought in the Green
Mountain watershed, has reduced the water available to the 66,000 acre-feet HUP by about
20,000 AF. HUP beneficiaries primarily use Green Mountain water for irrigation in the Grand
Valley between late spring and early falL

During the environmental review process, potential effects from the Proposed Action were
identified, either by the general public, other agencies, or Reclamation staff. Reclamation used
potential effects to help focus the environmental review process, to structure the EA, and to
identify opportunities for mitigating or avoiding adverse effects from the Proposed Action.

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Reclamation evaluated the effects of two alternatives-the No Action Alternative and the
Proposed Action (HUP releases). Reclamation has selected the Proposed Action as the Preferred
Alternative.

The Proposed Action includes entering into two temporary (less than a year) agreements to
release water from Ruedi Reservoir to help offset shortages to the HUP due to Green Mountain
Reservoir limitations on drawdown. The first agreement, between Reclamation and the Northern
Colorado Water Conservancy District, would establish payment to the federal government for the
costs of the water released from Ruedi. The second agreement would be among Reclamation, the
Colorado River Water Conservation District, and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy
District to release up to 10,000 AF of water from Ruedi Reservoir for use by the HUP
beneficiaries. Releases under this agreement would be made in the following manner:

. To the extent possible, releases will be at a steady rate beginning August 1,2002, or as soon
as releases can legally and practically begin;

. Releases under this contract will end on October 15 to minimize impacts on brown trout
spawning, which generally begins in mid-October. At the end of the release period, flows
will be decreased in such a manner as to minimize the stranding of fish in pools due to
decreasing water levels. The rate of decreasing flows will be coordinated with the Colorado
Division of Wildlife;

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