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001572 Chapter 3 - Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences The benefits of dam removal to endangered fish include (Nelson, 1999): 1. Only one fish ladder would be constructed instead of two. Multiple ladders tend to have cumulative effects on migrating fishes. It would be easier and less stressful for fishes to migrate both upstream and downstream. During spawning migration, adults would expend less energy reserves needed for spawning. Migration delays could adversely affect reproduction success. 2. Fish predators tend to congregate below dams. Downstream migration may result in mortality as endangered fish go over the dam spillway, become stunned and disoriented, and fall prey to predators. Removal of the Price-Stubb Dam would remove one of the spillways, 3. With the dam in place, there will always be a threat of hydropower development and associated impacts (entrainment, impingement, mechanical injury, and mortality). Fish that pass through power-generation turbines can be injured or killed. 4. Ladders result in fishes being concentrated in one place, which may result in predation, competition, and disease transfer. Fewer ladders may result in less predation on endangered fishes attempting to migrate upstream. The likelihood of moving greater numbers of fish upstream is better with one ladder than two. Reclamation concludes each fish passage alternative would have no effect on the humpback chub, and would complement efforts of the Recovery Program to stock bony tail. The Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker and their critical habitat may be affected, but in a beneficial manner. Each passage alternative would assure access to critical habitat by the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker to improve chances of their recovery. Measures would be included in each passage alternative to reduce competition and predation by nonnative fish. Instream activities would be avoided from May to September to minimize impacts to endangered fish spawning and larval development. No taking of any listed species is expected as a result of any alternative for restoring fish passage. Cultural Resources The area of potential effect for an investigation of cultural resource impacts extends along the Colorado River upstream from Palisade to the Price-Stubb Dam site. Prior to settlement and development of irrigation facilities, the area was part of a Ute Indian reservation that covered western Colorado. After moving the Ute Indians to reservations in Utah and southwestern Colorado, Congress declared the lands public and open for filing in June 1882. By November, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was completed from the Gunnison River valley to Grand Junction. In 1889, tracks were extended along the Colorado River, past the site of the Price- Stubb Diversion Dam. The dam and associated pumping facilities were completed in 1911 to supply irrigation water to the Price and Stubb Ditches for use by early settlers in the Palisade area, 40