Laserfiche WebLink
Price -Stubb Fish Passage FONSI Page 3 <br />Diversion Dam. <br />As a result of comments on the draft EA, Reclamation formulated a Downstream Rock Fish <br />Passage Alternative, which attempted to more fully address issues and concerns while meeting <br />the underlying purpose and need for the project. A Supplemental Draft EA was distributed for <br />public comment in July 2002. Six comments were received on the 2002 Draft EA from <br />organizations and private individuals. The majority of comments supported the Downstream <br />Rock Fish Passage Alternative and requested that Reclamation consider additional features to <br />enhance boater recreation. The Colorado River Energy Distributors Association (CREDA) <br />expressed concerns with allowing non - native fish upstream of the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam. <br />The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program's Biology Committee <br />discussed CREDA's concerns and directed Reclamation to examine the feasibility of <br />incorporating selective passage into the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative. <br />Reclamation determined that selective passage was not feasible because of limited space and <br />access between Interstate 70 and the Colorado River. Because direct access from Interstate 70 <br />was not an available option, selective passage would require considerable fill and riprap along <br />the left river bank to build an access from the Palisade off -ramp to the Price -Stubb Diversion <br />Dam. In addition, the access road would be in conflict with future Interstate 70 widening. The <br />Recovery Program determined that selective fish passage at the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam was <br />� of feasible and elected to install selective fish passage at the upstream Grand Valley Project <br />iversion Dam upstream. <br />Additional meetings were held between Reclamation and the Colorado Department of <br />Transportation (CDOT) to discuss the proposed action. CDOT expressed concerns with the <br />Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative. CDOT identified two main issues: 1) future <br />Interstate 70 widening, and 2) trespass and liability issues associated with recreational boating at <br />the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam. Reclamation addressed future widening concerns by offsetting <br />the fish passage an additional 33 feet from the Interstate. CDOT requested that Reclamation <br />conduct additional NEPA analysis on impacts associated with the proposed whitewater features. <br />Reclamation also met on several occasion with CDOT, Town of Palisade, Western Association <br />to Enjoy Rivers (WATER), E.R. Jacobson, and Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts to <br />refine the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative. A Revised Supplemental Draft EA was <br />distributed for public comment in April 2004 which added the Downstream Rock Fish Passage <br />with Whitewater Features Alternative. <br />A total of 32 written comments were received on the Revised Supplemental Draft EA from <br />agencies, organizations, and individuals. Additional meeting were held with CDOT, Town of <br />Palisade, E.R. Jacobson, and Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts to coordinate <br />activities and address comments. Comments were addressed and a Final EA was prepared. <br />Reclamation has selected the Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Features, as the <br />recommended alternative based on the following conditions: 1) securing permits and easements <br />