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1 F NSI-Ruedi 2012 Agreement May 2003 In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and based on the following, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has determined that the implementation of Alternative B would not result in a significant impact to the human environment. Alternative B includes a Memorandum of Agreement (2012 Agreement) with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to make 10,825 acre-feet (af) of water available annually (through the year 2012) for delivery from Ruedi Reservoir to the 15 Mile Reach of the Colorado River. Implementation of Alternative B would also allow the west slope water users' interim commitment of 5,412 of to be supplied from unused contracted water or available uncontracted water in Ruedi Reservoir an estimated 1 out of 10 years. This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) describes Reclamation's environmental conclusions regarding implementation of Alternative-B. INTRODUCTION In 1968, Ruedi Dam and Reservoir were constructed as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project in order to provide storage for replacement of out-of-priority diversions to the east slope and for regulatory storage for west slope users. To benefit the west slope water users, a water marketing program was initiated, and in 1982 Reclamation concluded the first round (Round 1) of Ruedi Reservoir water sales. In response to additional demand in the late 1980's, Reclamation initiated action to provide additional water sales through the Ruedi Reservoir Round 11 Water Marketing Program (Round II). In 1988, the Secretary of the Interior, Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration, and the Governors of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming signed a cooperative agreement establishing the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program). The goal of the Recovery Program is to recover the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail chub while providing for the continued future water development in the Colorado River basin above the confluence with the Gunnison River. In April of 1994, critical habitat was listed for all four of the Colorado endangered fish. Critical habitat for the Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker included the Colorado River downstream of Rifle. This is an area affected by depletions that are, in part, caused by the Ruedi water marketing program and includes the 15 Mile Reach of the Colorado River. The 15 Mile Reach extends along the mainstem Colorado River 15 miles upstream from its confluence with the Gunnison River to the Grand Valley Irrigation Company Diversion Dam near Palisade, Colorado. The ability of Colorado River water users to continue developing 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 and fall flows in the 15 Mile Reach are necessary for recovery of the endangered fish. PURPOSE The purpose of the proposed agreement is to supply additional flows to the 15 Mile Reach, pursuant to the 1999 Final Programmatic Biological Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation's Operations and Depletions, Other Depletions, and Funding and Implementation of the Recovery Program Actions in the Upper Colorado River Above the Confluence with the Gunnison River, to enhance habitat and ensure continued progress towards recovery of endangered fish, which will facilitate the continued development and use of water from the Colorado River basin upstream of the 15 Mile Reach. NEED In May of 1995, Reclamation received a jeopardy Biological Opinion (BO) on the marketing of up to 11,000 of of Round 11 water. The BO contained two Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RDAs) for Reclamation to implement prior to proceeding with Round H. Reclamation was to (1) continue providing 5,000 of of water annually and 5,000 of in 4 out of 5 years commitments; and, (2) make the remaining Il