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means that historic post- Aspinall Unit water availability would be maintained as much as possible <br />through Aspinall Unit operational flexibility, and increased calls on the river (which could harm <br />some water users) would not be likely. <br />Alternative B (Protection of Basin Water Users through Contracts) - -The agreement would <br />maintain flows of 300 cfs downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam as in Alternative A. <br />In order to provide formal protection of downstream mainstem water users, it would be <br />necessary to execute water delivery contracts with each individual and entity who have <br />historically benefitted from Aspinall Unit operations. These contracts would be subject to the <br />Reclamation Reform Act (RRA). The RRA contains, among other things, provisions that limit <br />the amount of acreage a landowner and /or lessee is allowed to irrigate with water purchased <br />from Reclamation. The RRA also contains provisions that may affect the price paid for <br />Reclamation irrigation water. Water users with contracts would not be affected by protection <br />of the interim water deliveries to endangered fish. Water users without contracts would be <br />subject to water rights administration, and some of the indirect benefits that have occurred to <br />these water users since the Aspinall Unit was constructed could be lost. <br />Alternative C (No SW&ial Protection of Basin Water Users)- -The agreement would maintain <br />flows of 300 cfs downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam in the months of July through <br />October. The agreement would not specify any special operational considerations for <br />determining releases from the Aspinall Unit to help maintain post- Aspinall Unit water supplies. <br />Under this alternative, some of the indirect benefits that have occurred to all Gunnison River <br />Basin water users since the Aspinall Unit was constructed would be lost. <br />Under all alternatives, water would be available to interested water users, based on available <br />supplies, from the Aspinall Unit through contracts. These alternatives for the interim water <br />agreement are discussed in more detail in Chapter 3, under "River Flows, Water Rights, and <br />Water Use." <br />10 <br />