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<br />000939 <br /> <br />2003 and received two written comment letters regarding the draft EA. Comment letters and <br />responses are presented in Chapter 4. <br /> <br />'Fish screen alternatives evaluated in this EA include the Proposed Action and No action <br />Alternatives. The alternatives are discussed in Chapter 2. Reclamation identified the following <br />potential issues and concerns described below which are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 3. <br /> <br />Water Resources <br /> <br />Diversion Dam Operations and Water Rights-The Redlands Diversion Dam is used <br />year-round to divert water for irrigation and to generate hydroelectric power. Operation <br />of the fish screen should not interfere with operations ofthe dam or affect the ability to <br />divert water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. <br /> <br />Water Quality-During construction of the fish screen, water quality downstream of the <br />fish return pipeline could be temporarily affected. <br /> <br />Land and Facilities' Resources <br /> <br />Protecting Existing Structures-Water is diverted year-round from the Gunnison River <br />via the Redlands Diversion Dam in to the Redlands Power Gana!. An improperly <br />functioning screen (screen that restricts canal 'flow) could. damage the canal and <br />negatively affect Redland Water and Power Company's operations, <br /> <br />Access--'-Before construction of the fish screen, Reclamation would coordinate activities <br />as needed with the Redlands Water and Power Company to safely access the site and use <br />their land and facilities. Reclamation would request temporary easements for <br />construction. After construction, Redlands Water and Power Company would assume <br />ownership and operate the fish screen with funding provided by the Recovery Program. <br /> <br />Unique Geographic Features <br /> <br />Floodplain and Wetlands Protections-The Gunnison River provides highly valued <br />riparian habitat and floodplain functions that need to be considered when constructing the <br />fish screen. <br /> <br />Fish and Wildlife Resources <br /> <br />Effects on Endangered ColoradoRiver Fishes-Federal actions that affect (either <br />adverse or beneficial) federally threatened or endangered speCies require consultation with the <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 ofthe Endangered Species Act of 1973. The <br />Service concludes consultation with written concurrence with the Biological Assessment or <br /> <br />4 <br />