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V? .. <br />The 11 alternatives originally considered in detail were designed to <br />achieve four different objectives. The first objective (No Action Alternative) <br />described the existing Round I sales and operational conditions for Ruedi <br />Reservoir. The second objective was for maximum sale of water from Ruedi <br />Reservoir to meet municipal, domestic, and industrial demands. The third <br />objective was to minimize the risk to instream and recreational values. The <br />fourth objective included hydroelectric power generation. <br />After detailed study, all but two alternatives were eliminated from further <br />analysis. A third alternative was added, the Preferred with Conservation <br />Measures Alternative. The alternatives were eliminated due to environmental or <br />recreational impacts which were considered to be too great, or to water supply <br />amounts and schedules which were either inadequate or excessive in comparison <br />to demands. <br />Environmental Conseauences <br />The environmental effects of the different alternatives are due to the <br />decreases in Ruedi Reservoir stage and to altered streamflow patterns in the <br />rivers downstream. The changes in streamflows resulting from the various water <br />sales scenarios would create minor losses in fish habitat as well as potential <br />minor economic impacts to the tourism industry in Pitkin, Garfield, and Eagle <br />counties. The changes in Ruedi Reservoir stages could also have potential minor <br />impacts on various reservoir uses including fishing, waterskiing, and sailing. <br />Mitigation <br />Since this Supplement is a programmatic document, appropriate site-specific <br />NEPA compliance will be required by Reclamation on a case-by-case basis before <br />any additional Ruedi water sales contracts can be executed. Any water sales <br />contract With a prospective water user will contain environmental compliance <br />requirements in relation to mitigating site-specific impacts of water sales which <br />must be met as a part of the water sales contracting process. <br />Reclamation and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service have agreed to <br />conservation measures issued in the Biological Opinion, allowing coordinated <br />releases from Green Mountain Reservoir and Ruedi Reservoir for endangered <br />species. Releases from Green Mountain Reservoir may be used by Reclamation to <br />mitigate flow-related conservation measure impacts on Ruedi Reservoir and the <br />Fryingpan River. <br />Document Purposes <br />This Supplement is intended to meet regulations for environmental <br />statements under CEQ (Council on Environmental Quality) guidelines, has been <br />planned and prepared under NEPA regulations, and is intended to satisfy the <br />following statutory and regulatory requirements: <br />Federal Policies and Acts <br />Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, as amended <br />National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended <br />Clean Air Act of 1963, as amended <br />iv