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}-~ e 002168 e proposes to acquire 7,200 AF of water to establish a pool of storage in McPhee Reservoir with a total annual volume of !:<!E to 36,500 AF for downstream release from McPhee Reservoir to the Dolores River. This volurTielias been recommended as a suitable goal by several resource management agencies and Trout Unlimited. The 7,200 AF would be added to the 25,400 AF of Project water reserved by the United States for fish and wildlife purposes and the up to 3,900 AF of water required to satisfy senior downstream water rights. .. Additional water for the managed pool will be acquired in three increments: i~ 2100. ;;Ii Increment I (3,900 AF) - The OWeD has agreed to provide 3,900 AF of water annually, subject to payment by Reclamation, to -increase the pool of water reserved by the United States for fish and wildlife purposes to 29.300 AF. This water would be added to the up to 3.900 AF of water for senior downstream water rights for a total managed pool of up to (] ?(jO 33.200 AF. The acquisition of this 3.900 AF, of additional water would resolve the !TJJ discrepancy in the original project operation study regarding the averaae annual volume . ,.of PrQiect water required from storaa.to fulfill the 1977 DPR/FES downstream water release criteria. Reciamation will soiely fund the acauisition of this increment of water. ---- -- Increment II (3,300 AF) - The Ute MountaiTl_Ute Tribe has agreed to provide 3.300 AF of water, Gi- on a lease basis for up to 5 years. to increase, the pool of water r~served by the United Z9 :300 States for fish and wildlife purposes from 29.300 AF to 32.600 AF. Reciamation wouid }..--J fund the lease arranaement.' This water wouid be adaed to tne water for senior ] aownstream water ngnts t~ ~.900 ~F) for aJo~a! manaaea POOl 07 35.5J::! h.F. ./ ~ Permanent acoui~ition ~f increment Ii ,"::ater wiii recuire ~~st sharing par:ici~ation by ~tL.-- yJdf.M others. ReClamatiOn Will appropriate S,j71.000 to estaohsn an accoum TO:- tne ~&P acauisition-0rw8ter. Entities wishinc to carticic8te in water acoUlsition wouid make ~. , -..' ~ deposits to this account. J.... coaiition of entities and interested individuais wouid be /t:( organized to administer the accoum ana purcnase water. Incremem \II (Water in excess of 7.200 AF) - The tru~t account aescrib~Jt9DPve wouid .r:.emain open and the..acouisiHon-Drocessw"O(JltrC:5fftinUe~.-This increment mav inClude . ------------.-' . . -acquisition oT water which couid be managed for purposes other tnan fish ana wiidlife. Summary of Imoacts The Draft EA was distributed for public comment to state and federal agencies. public and private entities, and interested individuals. The final EA was modified to incorporate the comments. The major concerns expressed related to the cost sharing rec..Jirement for acquisition of water for Increment II and III, and the possible adverse affect to white water boating opportunities. The cost sharing requirement remains as a part of the proposed action. It has..been determined that implementation of the proposed action will not significantly impact future white water boating opponunities. Based on the final EA. it has been determined that implementation of the proposed actions will not significantly affect the auality of the numan environment. The reasons for a 'Finding of No Significant Irr:pac~ are aadressed in detail in the final EA. Following is a summary: i. There wHI be no adverse imDacls 10 federaiiy listed threatenec C~ encangere:: s::Jecles. The Biological Assessment ana response from the U.S. Fish ane Wildlife Service are l:1c!uaec In tne