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E. STATUS OF OTHER RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN THE UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN 1. Colorado a. Fruitgrowers Dam Project Reclamation entered into an agreement with the Audubon Society to manage the lands around Fruitgrowers Reservoir for wildlife habitat enhancement and viewing. A watchable wildlife trait and viewing area, accessible to persons with disabilities, has been constructed. b. Uncompahgre Project The proposed AB Lateral Hydropower Facility is designed to generate electrical power, improve the Uncompahgre Project irrigation system and enhance revenues of the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUAI. The project would be funded, built and operated by the UVWUA and Montrose Partners. The project would be constructed under a lease of power privilege (Lease) using existing features of Reclamation's Uncompahgre Project. Reclamation issued a final EIS in 1990 for this non-federally funded project. The ROD, which was issued in 1991, provided that Reclamation could not execute a Lease permitting the Project until a Section 404 Permit was obtained. The Corps of Engineers denied the permit in 1993; the sponsors collected additional data, prepared new bank stabilization plans and submitted a new permit application. The Corps of Engineers issued a public notice on the application in August 1995. Public comments on the application included support, opposition based on increased erosion along the Uncompahgre River and requests for more data and updated NEPA compliance. The proposed facility would use the existing Gunnison Diversion and Tunnel to divert water from the Gunnison River to an Uncompahgre River hydroplant. Environmental issues relate to increased flows on the Uncompahgre River which could lead to erosion along the river corridor and reduced flows on the Gunnison River. Downstream areas on the Gunnison River have been determined eligible for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and a segment of river is within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. The National Park Service plans to quantify their reserved water right to help establish a water supply for the Monument. Sponsors will honor either the flow required by the federal reserved right or 300 cfs, whichever is greater. In 1997, Reclamation initiated work on a supplemental E1S in light of new bank stabilization plans and other new information. This work will provide the basis for determining if changes to the ROD are necessary. c. Dominquez Project (Whitewater) As required by Section 20411) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (P.L. 94-5791, Reclamation completed a withdrawal review on lands withdrawn for the Dominquez Project. In December 1988, Reclamation submitted a report to BLM recommending that its withdrawal for this project, totaling approximately 28,444 acres, be terminated in its entirety. That recommendation has not yet been processed by BLM. In September 1996, the Interior Department's Inspector General completed an audit report entitled, "Withdrawn Lands, Department of the Interior." 52