Price-Stubbs Fish Passage: Final Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact

Home Browse Search

Final Environmental Assessment — Chapter 1— Introduction FERC Hydropower License —In 1990, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted a license to develop a hydroelectric power generation project at the dam site (known as the Jacobson Hydro No. 1 Project). The project was put on hold in 1994, and has not been constructed. FERC amended the Jacobson Hydro No. I license in September 2001 (FERC, 2001). The amendment included the means to reimburse the licensee for the cost of the fish passage. The maximum amount of the reimbursement was the anticipated cost of the least cost passage alternative. The license was terminated by FERC on July 15, 2002 (FERC 2002C). Reclamation's implementation of fish passage at the Price -Stubb Dam was dependant on FERC's decision on the amendment and/or the licensee's decision to proceed with hydropower development. The licensee has not abandoned plans for hydropower development at the site. Scope Reclamation developed fish passage alternatives and identified issues or concerns with participation from many individuals, agencies, and organizations that may be affected by the project. Alternatives discussed in Chapter 2 are: No Action, Conventional Fish Ladder, Downstream Rock Fish Passage, Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Recreation Features, and Dam Removal. The Final EA refines the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternatives that were evaluated in the Revised Supplemental Draft EA. to Water Resources Ute Water Conservation District (Ute Water) Pump Plant Intake —Ute Water provides domestic water to over 60,000 Grand Valley residents via a pipeline from storage reservoirs. Their emergency backup water supply is pumped from the Colorado River out of the pool formed by the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam. Dewatering upstream of the dam or dam removal could adversely affect Ute Water's ability to pump water from the river during low river flows. Water Rights— Owners of existing water rights with points of diversion at the Price - Stubb Diversion Dam have raised issues regarding potential impacts and the future utilization of their water rights under the Dam Removal Alternative. Clifton Water District - Downstream Water Quality — Changes in water quality downstream from the dam may affect the ability of Clifton Water to meet drinking water standards and provide domestic water to approximately 30,000 people. Ute Water Pump Plant- Spring Flooding —The fish passage alternatives may affect spring flooding of the Ute Water pump plant. 0