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<br />001089 <br /> <br />Final Environmental Assessment-Chapter 3-Affected Environment and <br />Environmental Consequences <br /> <br />Many letters received during the scoping process suggested the Recovery Program <br />construct a whitewater park at the dam site. A December 1998 letter from the City of <br />Grand Junction states "the City wishes to remain open on the issue of where a kaya j( or <br />water park might be conceivable based on the.. . conceptual feasibility of such a park." <br />Kayakers and other recreational users of the Colorado River have been raising money to <br />study the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam as a water park site. Funding for dam removal <br />would be provided by the Recovery Program and does not include funds specifically for <br />recreation enhancement. However, to the extent that costs to the Recovery Program <br />would not increase, designs for removal could also incorporate measures to enhance <br />recreational boating. <br /> <br />In conjunction with dam removal, one of the mitigation measure options for protecting <br />the ability of Ute Water to pump from the Colorado River (see Page 19) would be <br />implemented. Option 1 and 2 would have no effect on recreation. However, designs for <br />option 3, which involves constructing a low head dam immediately downstream from the <br />pump plant, would also consider a boating passage. <br /> <br />Public Safety <br /> <br />Issue: The dam poses a significant safety threat to all forms of water recreation <br />in the vicinity of the dam. <br /> <br />Existing Conditions: The Price-Stubb Diversion Dam is an extremely hazardous <br />structure. A January 1999 letter from Mesa County Irrigation District describes the <br />Price-Stubb Diversion Dam as "'... a deadly hazard to people who climb on or slide down <br />the dam and to boaters who unwittingly go over the dam." Drowning fatalities at the dam <br />site were confmned by several sources, but no statistics were available (conversations <br />with Town of Palisade, Mesa County Health Department Vital Statistics, Mesa County <br />Sheriff, and the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for Saint Mary's Hospital). A <br />January 1999 letter from a WATER board member reports the Price-Stubb Diversion <br />Dam is listed as one of the state's top ten safety "hotspots". <br /> <br />Impacts <br /> <br />No Action: The safety hazard would not change. As river recreation grows, <br />more accidents at this dam would be likely. A warning sign is posted upstream of the <br />Price-Stubb Diversion Dam, but due to the restricted access, the narrow river, and <br />corresponding faster river velocities, the dam poses a significant risk to boaters, <br />especially those who may not be familiar with the hazard. <br /> <br />Conventional Fish Ladder: As described in the No Action, constructing a fish <br />ladder around the diversion dam would not change the existing safety hazard. <br /> <br />Downstream Rock Fish Passage: This alternative would reduce the safety <br />hazard with the construction of an established portage around the diversion dam. Signage <br />and installation of a log boom or similar-type barrier upstream ofthe fish passage exit to <br /> <br />36 <br />