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

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Price -Stubb Fish Passage FONSI from affected land owners (Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts, CDOT, E.R. Jacobson, and the Union Pacific Railroad), 2) obtaining non - Recovery Program funding for incremental recreation costs related increases over and above the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative, and 3) having a local governmental sponsor assuming liability, maintenance, and obtaining public access downstream of the dam to the whitewater features. In the event that any of the conditions are not met, Reclamation will construct the Downstream Rock Fish Passage Alternative without recreation features. Summary of Findings Under the No Action Alternative, endangered fish passage upstream of the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam will not be restored. This will not meet the purpose and need as described above. Under the Selected Alternative, Reclamation will construct a fish passage that meets the endangered fish needs and construct whitewater features for recreation while protecting existing water rights. The incremental costs associated with the Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Features will be funded with Non - Recovery Program Funds. In terms of environmental consequences associated with implementing the recommended alternative; wildlife resources, Indian trust assets, and environmental justice will not be adversely affected. 0 Construction of the fish passage at the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam will have an adverse effect on the historical properties of the Dam. The Dam is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Reclamation and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Officer identifies appropriate mitigation (HABS -HAER Documentation) and methods to minimize impacts to the Dam's historical properties and was executed on June 29, 2004. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation was notified of the adverse effect the construction of the fish passage will have on the historic properties of the Price -Stubb Diversion Dam. The Advisory Council elected not to participate in the MOU process. The footprint of the Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Features Alternative is within the floodplain of the Colorado River other than the diversion itself, where there is a negligible likelihood that cultural resources will occur. No archaeological resources were identified during field surveys at the fish passage site, therefore it is predicted that that the construction of a fish passage will have no effect on other cultural resources. Construction activities will be limited to properties owned by Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts, E.R. Jacobson, and CDOT. Permits, easements, and access agreements will be obtained from all affected parties to construct, operate and maintain the fish passage. Permit conditions will be incorporated as environmental commitments. Water quality may be negatively affected during construction; however impacts are projected to 0