9609

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9609
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Ruedi Reservoir 2012 Agreement Final Environmental Assessment Fryingpan-Arkansas Project.
• USFW Year: 2002.
• USFW - Doc Type: Loveland, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

Ruedi 2012 Agreement Final EA
Page 1-4 1
Program, Reclamation's commitment will be reduced from 21,650 of to 10,825 of of Ruedi
Reservoir water. This occurred in 2000. Finally, when a long term (through year 2012)
agreement is signed committing Reclamation to make 10,825 of of Ruedi water available to
enhance flows in the 15 Mile Reach thru 2012, Reclamation may, per the PBO, contract for the
10,865 of remainder of the 17,000 of (17,000 of minus the 6,135 of to meet immediate needs).
Table 1.1 summarizes key events related to development of the Ruedi Round II Water Marketing
Program.
1.2 Purpose and Need
Reclamation has identified a need for contracting up to 17,000 of of Ruedi water for use on the
west slope, however critical habitat in the 15 Mile Reach is adversely affected by such upstream
water depletions. The Recovery Program through the PBO stipulates that a long term agreement
to provide at least 10,825 of of water (for the benefit of endangered fish on the Colorado
mainstem through calendar year 2012) from Ruedi must be executed before contracting can
continue on the balance of the 17,000 of (10,865 af) available for Round II water contracting.
The proposed agreement will meet the requirements of this stipulation in the PBO.
The ability of Colorado River water users to continue development and use of water in the
Colorado River basin upstream of the 15 Mile Reach is dependent upon the success of the
Recovery Program. The Recovery Program has determined that increased summer flows in the
15 Mile Reach for enhancement of endangered fish habitat and species health are necessary for
recovery of the endangered fish. The purpose of the proposed agreement is to supply additional
flows to the 15 Mile Reach to enhance habitat and ensure continued progress towards recovery
of the endangered fish, which will facilitate the continued development and use of water from the
Colorado River basin upstream of the 15 Mile Reach.
1.3 Proposed Action
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Reclamation proposes to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (2012 Agreement) w
CWCB and the Service to make 10,825 of of water available annually for delivery from Ruedi
Reservoir to the 15 Mile Reach of the Colorado River through the year 2012.
The agreement would be implemented in accordance with the authorized Project purposes.
'
s forty-year agreement with the CWCB, hereafter the contract, to provide up to
Reclamation
10,000 of of water per year (5,000 of annually and 5,000 of in 4 out of 5 years) from Ruedi
Reservoir will remain in full force and effect regardless of the decision made on the proposed
action. The 5,000 of annual commitment was removed from the marketable yield of the
reservoir and reduced the marketable yield from 51,500 of to the current 46,500 of marketable
yield. The 5,000 of in 4 out of 5 years will be available through reregulation of the reservoir.
1.4 Issues and Concerns
The scoPing process to identify significant issues and concerns associated with the proposed
action began in March 2000 with issuance of a scoping document outlining the proposed action
and need for action. Subsequent to this, a public meeting was conducted in May 2000 to field
questions and identify additional issues and concerns related to the proposed action. Press
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