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<br />001060 <br /> <br />Final Environmental Assessment-Chapter 2-Alternatives <br /> <br />CHAPTER 2-ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />This chapter describes the No Action alternative and alternatives for providing fish <br />passage at the existing Price-Stubb Diversion Dam. Four alternatives for fish passage are <br />given detailed consideration: 1) constructing a Conventional Fish Ladder, 2) <br />constructing a Downstream Rock Fish Passage, 3) constructing a Downstream Rock <br />Fish Passage with Whitewater Recreation Features, and 4) Dam Removal. <br /> <br />No Action <br /> <br />Under the No Action alternative, Reclamation would not take action to restore <br />endangered fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam. The dam would remain in <br />place and continue to be a barrier to upstream passage for endangered fish species. <br /> <br />The No Action alternative assumes development and operation of the Jacobson Hydro <br />No.1 Project, as licensed on September 13,2001, would not occur (FERC, 2001). This <br />40-year license was originally issued to E.R. Jacobson for the construction, operation, <br />and maintenance of the project by FERC on June 19, 1990 (FERC, 1990). <br /> <br />In 1994, FERC granted a 'stay" on development ofthe hydropower project for several <br />reasons. These included the need to reinitiate consultation with the Service on the effects <br />of the project on the newly listed razorback sucker and recently designated critical habitat <br />upstream from the project. On June 27, 1996, the licensee filed an application for <br />amendment ofthe license. Major provisions of the amendment included moving the <br />hydro plant upstream to the toe of the dam and decreasing the hydro plant flow from <br />2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1,000 cfs. <br /> <br />FERC (2002a) issued a letter dated January 4,2002 to E.R. Jacobson that stated since <br />deadlines had passed to commence project construction; Mr. Jacobson should refrain <br />from any land-disturbing or land-clearing activities at the project site. On June 3, 2002, <br />FERC (2002b) issued a notice, pursuant to Section 375.308(f) of the Commissions <br />regulations, of probable termination of the license for Jacobson Hydro No.1 Project after <br />30 days from the date ofthe letter. An order terminating the license was issued by FERC <br />(2002c) on July 15,2002. Additional details about the Jacobson Hydro No.1 Project are <br />included in the 1999 Draft EA (Reclamation, 1999). E.R. Jacobson has not abandoned <br />plans for hydropower development at the site. <br /> <br />Conventional Fish Ladder <br /> <br />Under this alternative, Reclamation would construct a concrete ladder around the dam, <br />similar to the U-shaped ladder (see Figure 2) constructed in 1996 at the Redlands <br /> <br />7 <br />