8089

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8089
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment Gunnison River Activities, Passageway Around the Redlands Diversion Dam and Interim Agreement to Provide Water for Endangered Fish.
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: Grand Junction, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

Reservoir could be very efficient in dry years. While this idea is not incorporated into the
interim contract, it is not precluded.
Concerning repayment, Reclamation's commitment to reduce the need for administrative calls
by downstream .Gunnison River mainstem users senior in priority to the Aspinall Unit is not
intended to create a payment obligation, nor does Reclamation envision this to be the case.
Reclamation will keep this matter in mind and study it during the term of the interim agreement
in anticipation of preparing the long-term water supply contract.
The term of the agreement is for no more than S years or until the conclusion of the Endangered
Species Act consultation on the Aspinall Unit and issuance of a final biological opinion by the
Service, whichever occurs first. Thus the mechanism is in place to maintain the fishery flows
until a final solution is found. The interim agreement will cover the July through October
period, the time when the water is most needed for fish movement. Coverage for additional
months will be considered for the long-term contract.
The signatory parties to the agreement have not been changed. Reclamation was included due
to their responsibility for managing water stored in Blue Mesa Reservoir. The Service was
included because they are performing the biological studies on the endangered species, and the
Colorado Water Conservation Board was included because they are responsible for the waters
of the State of Colorado.
Related Projects
One reviewer wrote that the EA was flawed because it overlooked headwater storage projects
as an alternative to protect endangered fish during drought cycles. Other reviewers asked what
the effects would be of other planned projects on the endangered fish, and the relationship with
ongoing salinity control projects.
The EA was not revised to consider headwater storage project alternatives because they are not
in existence and thus not a reasonable alternative to furnishing water at this time. If these
headwater projects ever progress to the environmental impact statement stage, they will address
their ability to protect endangered fish. The EA does address effects on other planned projects
in the section of Chapter 3 dealing with "River, flows, water rights, and water use. "
Under the Colorado River Salinity Control Program, Reclamation and the Uncompahgre Valley
Water Users Association have discontinued winter stock water, flows through canals and laterals
and replaced the supplies through private municipal suppliers. Reclamation and the water users
are also studying plans to fine or place in pipe laterals and canals in the Uncompahgre Valley.
These projects are not directly related to the endangered fish proposals although they will
improve water quality in the Gunnison River itself.
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