9631

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9631
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary.
• USFW Year: 2004.
• USFW - Doc Type: Salt Lake City, UT.
• Copyright Material: NO

S.10.2 Related Programs, Projects, and Activities
5.10.2.1 Recovery Program
As discussed in section S.4.1 above, the Recovery Program's goal is to protect and
recover the endangered fish of the Upper Colorado River Basin. The Recovery Program
has a variety of programs and projects underway, concerning habitat acquisition or
enhancement, levee removal, nonnative fish control, and native fish stocking, aimed at
achieving that goal. The Proposed Action for which the DEIS has been prepared-
operating Flaming Gorge Dam as specified in the Recovery Program's 2000 Flow and
Temperature Recommendations-would complement the other Recovery Program
activities in moving toward endangered fish recovery.
S.10.2.2 Interim Surplus Guidelines and Colorado River Basin Project
Act 602(a) Storage Requirement
Flaming Gorge is part of the Colorado Basin and is indirectly affected by decisions made
under the December 2000 Colorado River Interim Surplus Guidelines Final
Environmental Impact Statement. However, the effects are not measurable. In addition,
Reclamation is currently preparing an environmental assessment on a proposed guideline
to be used to determine the amount of Upper Basin water required under Section 602(a)
of the Colorado River Basin Project Act. This guideline could affect operations at
Lake Powell but most likely would not influence operations at Flaming Gorge.
S.10.2.3 Relocation of Little Hole National Recreation Trail
The 7.2-mile segment of the Little Hole National Recreation Trail along the Green River
between the Flaming Gorge Dam Spillway Recreation Complex (boat ramp launching
and parking area) and Little Hole Recreation Complex (boat ramps, parking, and day use
areas) will be relocated by the USDA Forest Service pending funding to prevent
reoccurring trail damage and loss that has occurred from past high flows. Without
relocation of the trail, further damage would be expected to occur under both the
No Action Alternative and the Action Alternative.
This 7.2-mile trail segment provides access to the Green River for tens of thousands of
annual visitors who participate in shore and boat fishing, scenic and recreational floating,
hiking, and sightseeing activities. Several commercial operators also use the trail as part
of their outfitting and guiding business. Annual trail use has ranged from 54,000 to
101,000 visitors over the past 11 years. Annual visitation numbers, types, and the
economic value of uses along the trail are discussed and displayed in the DEIS.
The USDA Forest Service completed a field assessment and report in July 2001 of trail
locations along the 7.2-mile trail segment. This assessment identified trail damage and
repairs that have occurred from 1979 to the present due to releases from the dam, either
in response to extremely wet hydrologic years or to support endangered fish research
studies. The assessment also addressed alternative trail designs, locations, and costs that
would prevent recurring trail damage and loss. Depending on alternative trail locations,
the design and construction costs ranged from $135,000 to $308,000. The USDA Forest
Service will evaluate and analyze the alternative trail designs and locations as part of a
separate NEPA process and document. In addition, the USDA Forest Service will
S-12 Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft EIS