WSPP287

• File Number: 8240.200.49.J
• Description: Colorado River Threatened-Endangered - RIPRAP - Price-Stubb Fish Passage - Environmental Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 12/1/2004
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact - RE- Providing Endangered Fish Passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam on the Colorado River - 12-01-04
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

001087
Final Environmental Assessment-Chapter 3-Affected Environment and
Environmental Consequences

Pacific Railroad, E.R. Jacobson and CDOT. The whitewater features would include
public access below the dam obtained by the Town of Palisade via an existing dirt road
through the Union Pacific Railroad and E.R. Jacobson properties. The dirt road is
accessed from North River Road (Old Highway 6). The features could also be accessed
from Colorado River State Park-Island Acres upriver. Restrooms, kiosks, and other
amenities may be constructed in the future with non-recovery program funds as funding
becomes available. These additional recreation features are not included in any of
Reclamation's alternatives and are discussed further in the cumulative impacts section of
this chapter.

If non-Recovery Program funding were not available, or permits, easements and
authorization not obtained; Reclamation would construct the 2.5 percent riprap ramp
without whitewater features as described in the Downstream Rock Fish Passage
Alternative (see Page 12).

Impacts

No Action: Ifno action is taken, the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam would remain a
dangerous barrier to river navigation, and portaging around the dam would involve
trespassing. River recreation would continue to increase, and local boating enthusiasts
and BLM predict significant growth of river recreation and day use. Increased
recreational boating is expected to occur whether or not any action is taken to provide
fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam. However, the opportunity to extend the
river corridor upstream to Island Acres would be diminished. The river would not be a
means to connect Colorado River State Park sites in the area and Colorado River State
Parks-Island Acres would remain isolated from the other downstream parks.

Conventional Fish Ladder: As with the No Action alternative, construction of a
fish ladder around the dam would provide no recreation benefit.

Downstream Rock Fish Passage: This alternative would provide an established
portage around the diversion dam on river-left but would reduce the likelihood of
additional recreation enhancements occurring in the future at the site. This alternative
would address boating safety issues with warning signs posted upstream of the dam and
install a log boom or similar-type barrier upstream of the fish passage exit to prevent
boaters from attempting to float through the fish passage. The fish passage channel and
riprap ramp would not be safe for boat passage and boaters, but the riprap ramp would be
safer than the existing conditions. Boaters would be encouraged to portage around the
dam. Unauthorized access to the river from Interstate 70 and the Cameo Bridge may
occur, however it is not predicted to increase as a result of construction of the
Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative.

Future recreational enhancements funded with non-Recovery Program funds could
improve the remaining portion downstream of the dam as long as it did not interfere with
the operation and structural integrity of the fish passage. However, future recreational
enhancement would likely be cost prohibitive because of additional costs associated with

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