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Impacts <br />Under the No Action Alternative, the major land use change in the immediate vicinity is <br />projected to be conversion of upstream riparian and agricultural areas on the east side of the <br />river to sand and gravel extraction uses. <br />Construction, operation of the fish passageway, and provision of water under the interim <br />agreement will have no significant effect on land use. Approximately 1 acre of land will be used <br />permanently for the fish passage facility. Designs and operation and maintenance agreements <br />are being developed to protect the structures and uses associated with both the Redlands <br />Diversion Dam and the city water intake. <br />During construction, an area on the east side of the river between the cliffs and the city of Grand <br />Junction pumping plant will be used as a parking and staging area for vehicles and equipment. <br />The same area will be used to dispose of excess material. The area is vegetated primarily with <br />greasewood /rabbitbrush with large barren areas, and approximately 1 acre will be cleared. <br />Revegetation of this site and other disturbed areas with grasses and saltbush will reduce impacts. <br />Activities will be distanced from the railroad to avoid any conflicts or effects on the railroad <br />operations. <br />There will be no disturbance to the riparian areas on the west bank of the river. Approximately <br />0.22 acres of shrubs, including two to four mature Russian olive, skunkbush, and tamarisk <br />shrubs, will be lost due to the fish passage. All cottonwood trees will be protected, although <br />several branches have been identified that will need to be removed. Soil compaction from <br />construction activity could adversely affect the vigor of approximately four mature cottonwoods. <br />Downstream from the diversion, less than .01 acres of emergent wetland (bulrush) will be lost. <br />Up to 200 feet of shoreline will be disturbed by the passage entrance or concrete work; and in <br />this area, .06 acres of emergent wetlands will be lost. The Fish and Wildlife Service (1994a) <br />has recommended that these vegetation losses be replaced by plantings of similar number /area <br />of cottonwood trees, skunkbush sumac, willows, and bulrushes along the Gunnison River and <br />this will be done. In addition the construction zone will be clearly marked to reduce any <br />unnecessary damage to vegetation and disturbed areas will be restored. <br />River Flows Water Rights. and Water Use <br />Existine Conditions <br />The Gunnison River flows from its beginning at the confluence of the Taylor and East Rivers <br />near Almont, Colorado to its confluence with the Colorado River near Grand Junction (see <br />frontispiece map). The Aspinall Unit Reservoirs (Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal) are <br />located approximately 100 miles upstream from the river's mouth. Major river measurement <br />stations (gages) are located downstream from Crystal Dam and near Whitewater, Colorado. A <br />new gage has been installed downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam. Major tributaries <br />are the Uncompahgre and North Fork of the Gunnison Rivers. <br />12 <br />