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Chapter 1 - Introduction Study Purpose and Objectives The purpose of the appraisal phase of the Silt Project Water Operations Study is to review opportunities to enhance or improve project operation. Specific objectives are to: • identify problems, opportunities and needs which could be addressed by the use of Silt Project facilities, • identify, analyze, screen and prioritize options for addressing the problems, opportunities and needs, and • develop a report summarizing the findings of the appraisal phase and - providing recommendations for future activities, including possibly, more detailed (feasibility-level) investigations . Background and Study Process In a 1990 letter to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the city of Rifle expressed interest and support for a study to determine options to create, preserve and enhance the recreational capabilities of Rifle Gap Reservoir (a component of the Silt Project). Four potentia! options were suggested which might serve to maximize the benefits occurring to the local economy as a result of recreation at the reservoir. The City expressed a willingness to cooperate and to consider participating financially in implementation of a plan. Later in 1993, the Recovery Implementation Program for the Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (RIP) draft Recovery Action Plan identified the need to evaluate the Silt Project. The RIP was interested in determining the potential for the project to provide a water supply to supplement flows in the "15-Mile Reach" of the Colorado River at Grand Junction to help with recovery of the fish. All Federally .constructed water storage facilities in the upper Colorado River basin above the 15-Mile reach are being examined for this potential. Initial Silt Project study efforts were begun in 1991 under Reclamation's "Investigation of Existing Projects" funding authority, and later, with funding from the RIP. However, significant efforts to fully examine the problems and needs related to the project did not begin until mid-1995. Upon meeting with various stakeholders, it was realized that focusing on operational changes to address only recreation or endangered fish problems might not bring about the cooperation to