WSPP286

• File Number: 8240.200.45.J
• Description: Colorado River Threatened-Endangered - RIPRAP - Red Lands Project-Fish Ladder - Enviro Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 5/1/2004
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact - RE- Redlands Power Canal Fish Screen - 05-01-04
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

000928

Red lands Fish Screen FONSI

W ACO-GJ-FONSI-04-02 Page 5

returned to the Gunnison River via the fish return pipeline. Continued operation and
maintenance of the Redlands fish ladder will also be beneficial to common and endangered fish
species by providing continued fish access upstream of the Redlands Diversion Dam.

Vegetation resources will be temporarily affected during construction activities. Disturbed areas
will be revegetated after construction. The proposed action will result in the loss of an estimated
10 mature cottonwood trees along the fish return pipeline. No wetlands will be affected by the
proposed action.

Wildlife will likely be temporarily displaced and may avoid the project area during construction.
Construction will occur outside the nesting season, and long-term effects are predicted to be
negligible.

Water quality may have short-term minor impacts during construction of the fish return pipeline.
Increases in turbidity may occur during construction and removal of a temporary cofferdam
, needed to construct the fish return outlet structure. 'Prior to construction, Reclamation will obtain
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers under
Regional General Permit No. 57 to construct the fish return outlet structure.

Hydropower generation will be affected from November 1,2004 to April 1, 2005 when the
Redlands Power Canal is dewatered for construction. Construction of the fish screen will begin
after the 2004 irrigation season to avoid impacts to R WPC water users.

The City of Grand Junction operates a pump station below the Redlands Power Plant and
provides irrigation water from the Power Plant's tailrace to a residential ~ommunity and golf
course. The City states that they normally provide water to customers from April 15t to
November 15t each year dependent on weather and water user demand. Reclamation will include
in its construction contract November 1,2004 as the date for canal dewatering. RWPC normally
ends its irrigation season on or near October 15th and the canal is down for a few days to a week
for maintenance before diversions continue through the winter for hydropower production.
RWPC has identified October 18,2004 as the end ofthe 2004 irrigation Season and the canal will
be likely be dewatered until April 1, 2005. If the contractor elects to begin construction in the
canal prior to November 15\ the construction contractor will be required to provide up to 4 cfs to
the pumping plant for the residential community and golf course until November 1,2004.

Environmental commitments to mitigate or avoid significant impact to resources include the
following:

1) Section 404 authorization will be obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers prior to
initiating construction activities. Removed material to construct the bypass channel will be
discharged in upland sites on R WPC owned property as identified and approved by R WPC.

2) The Redlands Power Canal will be dewatered for construction from November 1,2004 to
April 1, 2005 for fish screen construction. Canal operations before November 1, 2004 and after
April 1, 2005 will be determined by RWPC. If the construction contractor requests RWPC to