WSPC179 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

001542 Chapter 2 - Alternatives A fish trap to control upstream movement of nonnative fish is included in the preliminary designs for the fish ladder. However, factors such as cost, space limitations, and land ownership at the dam site may make it infeasible to "include a fish trap at this location. An alternate location for a fish trap would be at the fish ladder proposed for the Grand Valley Project Diversion Dam about 5 miles upstream, Construction The fish ladder around the Price-Stubb Dam would be completed under a construction contract and would also be coordinated with plans for the amended Jacobson Hydro No.1 Project. The hydropower plant could be constructed concurrently with the fish ladder, but this is not a requirement. Before the fish ladder could be constructed, an agreement approving modification of the darn and headgates would have to be signed by the owners of the darn, the Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts. Temporary construction easements or permits would also be acquired from all affected land owners before construction. Reclamation would negotiate protective measures to reduce impacts to private property, right-of-ways and facilities. Following construction, any damaged area would be restored, as near as practicable, to its original condition. Access to the darn would be from Highway 6 along a trail that lies within the railroad right-of-way. Construction staging and material storage would be on adjacent vacant land. Construction access is limited near the darn because of its proximity to the railroad tracks. A cofferdam would be used to direct the river around the work area and river flows would not be affected. Before construction, Reclamation and the contractor would obtain any necessary approvals required by the Clean Water Act. Reclamation would request Section 404 approval under Regional General Permit No. 057 for projects that benefit recovery of endangered fish. The contractor or Reclamation would request water quality certification under Section 401. If discharging water from dewatering is needed, the contractor would obtain a Section 402 permit. Construction would be scheduled during low water conditions in the fall and winter of 1999 or 2000. Reclamation estimates costs to be about $1,800,000. This cost includes all preconstruction activities, permitting, construction, and construction administration. Additional costs for constructing a fish trap would be approximately $200,000. Operation, Maintenance and Replacement Measures The Service would operate the fish ladder from April through October of each year. They would monitor native and endangered fish use of the ladder. Decisions concerning future operation of the fish trap would consider results of ladder use and other Recovery Program activities (flow management, nonnative fish control, and habitat restoration) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1998). An operating agreement among Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts, the FERC licensee, the Service and Reclamation would define operation and maintenance, and replacement 10