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<br />Project Scoping for Task 10: Sub-basin Specific: Upper Gunnison - Prepare an estimate of <br />how much water should be maintained in storage in Blue Mesa Reservoir each year <br />such that recreational visitation at Curecanti National Recreation Area (CNRA) is <br />optimized. An associated analysis of economical impacts of different storage levels <br />should be completed as part of this task. Prepare similar estimates for Ridgway, <br />Crawford, Paonia, and Grand Mesa area reservoirs* <br /> <br />Project scoping would begin as early as July, 2007~ <br /> <br />Background: The water stored in Blue Mesa Reservoir supports a diverse set of recreational <br />activities (e~g*, fishing, boating, water skiing, etc.) that take place at the CNRA* The value <br />and interrelationships of these uses need to be quantified. Recent experience from drought <br />conditions has indicated that there is a direct relationship between water levels and visitor <br />days. This is a significant issue with important economic implications for the tourism <br />industry in the Gunnison Basin. It is estimated that approximately one million visitor days of <br />recreational activity takes place at CNRA each year. Additional information is needed <br />regarding the benefits to the local and regional economy of Blue Mesa Reservoir and the <br />CNRA. While it is acknowledged that it is not physically or otherwise feasible to till the <br />reservoir every year, the GBR T believes that 111ere is an optimal amount of storage that is <br />needed to support the recreational activity in Blue Mesa Reservoir and the economic benefits <br />it generates for the Gunnison Basin~ These data and technical analysis are required so that <br />there can be informed decision making as to what this level and/or range of storage levels <br />should be~ <br /> <br />5-9-07 <br /> <br />A-4 <br />