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0009~7 rights. Under an existing; agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board that expires in 2005, Reclamation ensures deliveries to maintain 300 cfs below the Redlands Diversion Dam with releases from the upstream Aspinall Unit for Redlands Fish Passage opeFations. Under the proposed action, 40 cfs of the 300 cfs would be used for fish screen operations. A bypass channel capable of diverting RWPC's total water right of 850 cfs is included in the fish screen designs. During times when the fish screen is inoperable because of ice or debris, isolation bulkheads would be used to bypass the fish screen. The installation of the fish screen, would result in a minimal canal head loss. In 2003; RWPC installed flashboards on the diversion. dam to raise the water elevation. R WPC would not be able to divert water through the power plant for a 5 month period between Noyember 1 and April 1 to dewater the fish screen construction site. RPWC diverts water from 'the Redlands Diversion Dam during this period only for hydropower generation. Construction dewatering would result in a loss of hydropower revenue during canal dewatering and Recovery 'Program has ~greed to' compensate RWPC for hydropower revenue losses during construction. The City of Grand Junction's water rights are dependent on RWPC diversions. Construction , activities could be coordinated to continue diversions until November 1 st, and resume by April 1 51 to allow adequate time for the fish screen and bypass channel construction. However, it is RWCP's discretion when they dewater their canal. Operation and maintenance of the fish screen would have no effect of the City of Grand Junction's ability to exercise their water right. Issue: Reclamation has an existing agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board to maintain 300 cfs of river flow below the Redlands Diversion Dam. Existin2 Conditions: In 1996, Reclamation entered into an agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to deliver water from the Aspinall Unit to ensure that a minimum of300 cfs was maintained downstream of the Redlands Diversion Dam in the months ,of July through October for the benefit of the Colorado'pikeminnow and razorback sucker. The 300 cfs is used to operate the Redlands fish ladder and maintain adequate flows below the dam to allow endangered fish to navigate upstream from the Colorado River,to the fish ladder entrance. The interim agreement expires in 2005 and a permanent agreement regarding flows below the Redlands Diversion Dam will be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for operational changes forthe Aspinall Unit that are related to compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). During the period between when the agreement expires (2005) and the issuance of a Record of Decision, Reclamation will to the extent allowable under State and Federal laws, attempt to release from the Aspinall Unit sufficient water to maintain a minimum flow of 300 cfs during the months of July, August, September, and October in the Gunnison River from the Redlands Diversion Dam to the confluence of the Gunnison River with the Colorado River. During drought periods when the 300 cfs flow below Redlands may not be 12