9573

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9573
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Price-Stubb Fish Passage - Final Environmental Assessment.
• USFW Year: 2004.
• USFW - Doc Type: Grand Junction, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

Price-Stubb Fish Passage FONSI Page 3
Diversion Dam.
As a result of comments on the draft EA, Reclamation formulated a Downstream Rock Fish
• Passage Alternative, which attempted to more fully address issues and concerns while meeting
the underlying purpose and need for the project. A Supplemental Draft EA was distributed for
public comment in July 2002. Six comments were received on the 2002 Draft EA from
organizations and private individuals. The majority of comments supported the Downstream
i Rock Fish Passage Alternative and requested that Reclamation consider additional features to
• enhance boater recreation. The Colorado River Energy Distributors Association (CREDA)
expressed concerns with allowing non-native fish upstream of the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam.
The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program's Biology Committee
discussed CREDA's concerns and directed Reclamation to examine the feasibility of
incorporating selective passage into the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative.
Reclamation determined that selective passage was not feasible because of limited space and
• access between Interstate 70 and the Colorado River. Because direct access from Interstate 70
• was not an available option, selective passage would require considerable fill and riprap along
the left river bank to build an access from the Palisade off-ramp to the Price-Stubb Diversion
Dam. In addition, the access road would be in conflict with future Interstate 70 widening. The
Recovery Program determined that selective fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam was
not feasible and elected to install selective fish passage at the upstream Grand Valley Project
Diversion Dam upstream.
e Additional meetings were held between Reclamation and the Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT) to discuss the proposed action. CDOT expressed concerns with the
Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative. CDOT identified two main issues: 1) future
Interstate 70 widening, and 2) trespass and liability issues associated with recreational boating at
the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam. Reclamation addressed future widening concerns by offsetting
• the fish passage an additional 33 feet from the Interstate. CDOT requested that Reclamation
• conduct additional NEPA analysis on impacts associated with the proposed whitewater features.
Reclamation also met on several occasion with CDOT, Town of Palisade, Western Association
• to Enjoy Rivers (WATER), E.R. Jacobson, and Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts to
refine the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative. A Revised Supplemental Draft EA was
distributed for public comment in April 2004 which added the Downstream Rock Fish Passage
with Whitewater Features Alternative.

A total of 32 written comments were received on the Revised Supplemental Draft EA from
agencies, organizations, and individuals. Additional meeting were held with CDOT, Town of
Palisade, E.R. Jacobson, and Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts to coordinate
activities and address comments. Comments were addressed and a Final EA was prepared.
Reclamation has selected the Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Features, as the
recommended alternative based on the following conditions: 1) securing permits and easements