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

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Final Environmental Assessment — Chapter 2— Alternatives 0 CHAPTER 2-ALTERNATIVES This chapter describes the No Action alternative and alternatives for providing fish passage at the existing Price -Stubb Diversion Dam. Four alternatives for fish passage are given detailed consideration: 1) constructing a Conventional Fish Ladder, 2) constructing a Downstream Rock Fish Passage, 3) constructing a Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Recreation Features, and 4) Dam Removal. No Action Under the No Action alternative, Reclamation would not take action to restore endangered fish passage at the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam. The dam would remain in place and continue to be a barrier to upstream passage for endangered fish species. The No Action alternative assumes development and operation of the Jacobson Hydro No. 1 Project, as licensed on September 13, 2001, would not occur (FERC, 2001). This 40 -year license was originally issued to E.R. Jacobson for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project by FERC on June 19, 1990 (FERC, 1990). In 1994, FERC granted a `stay" on development of the hydropower project for several reasons. These included the need to reinitiate consultation with the Service on the effects of the project on the newly listed razorback sucker and recently designated critical habitat upstream from the project. On June 27, 1996, the licensee filed an application for amendment of the license. Major provisions of the amendment included moving the hydro plant upstream to the toe of the dam and decreasing the hydro plant flow from 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1,000 cfs. FERC (2002a) issued a letter dated January 4, 2002 to E.R. Jacobson that stated since deadlines had passed to commence project construction; Mr. Jacobson should refrain from any land - disturbing or land - clearing activities at the project site. On June 3, 2002, FERC (2002b) issued a notice, pursuant to Section 375.308(f) of the Commissions regulations, of probable termination of the license for Jacobson Hydro No. 1 Project after 30 days from the date of the letter. An order terminating the license was issued by FERC (2002c) on July 15, 2002. Additional details about the Jacobson Hydro No. 1 Project are included in the 1999 Draft EA (Reclamation, 1999). E.R. Jacobson has not abandoned plans for hydropower development at the site. Conventional Fish Ladder Under this alternative, Reclamation would construct a concrete ladder around the dam, similar to the U- shaped ladder (see Figure 2) constructed in 1996 at the Redlands 7