Draft Environmental Assesment and Finding of No Significant Impact Gunnision River Activities February 1995

Home Browse Search

Highlights of Draft Environmental Assessment Redlands Fish Passage and Short -term Flow Protection The Draft Environmental Assessment includes two proposals: ■ Passage around Redlands ■ Interim (short -term) Diversion Dam for native agreement to provide river fish flows below Redlands Diversion Dam Major public concerns the proposals address: ■ Water- -water stored in Blue Mesa Reservoir would be supplied to operate a passageway and provide river flows for endangered fish. A temporary, 5 -year, agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Bureau of Reclamation, and Fish and Wildlife Service would guide how releases from Blue Mesa are made and protected. Releases would be made in accordance with State water laws. The water would come from a portion of Blue Mesa's storage that was previously set aside for endangered fish. The results would be monitored and recommendations developed on the long -term operation of Blue Mesa. ■ Local Water Use -- Effect on water supplies was a major concern of Redlands Water and Power Company shareholders, Upper Gunnison Basin water users, and others. These users have benefitted from Aspinall Unit releases for nearly 30 years and are concerned about losing these benefits. Alternatives have been developed to address this concern and to protect water availability. Water rights along the Gunnison River would not be affected, but protecting endangered fish releases from diversion could affect water available for use by these rights. The agreement also provides for endangered fish to share water shortages in drought periods. The plans are developed under the Recovery Program for endangered fish and the goals of this program are to recover these fish while allowing water use and development to continue. ■ RiverflOWS- -Under the water agreement, a flow of 300 cfs would be maintained downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam in July through October. In droughts, the agreement would provide for flows to be reduced to help reduce impacts to water users. Fish and Wildlife -- Design of the fish passageway would allow endangered fish to migrate from the Colorado River into the Gunnison River. The Redlands Diversion Dam has blocked this migration for over 75 years. Minor benefits may occur to the Gold Medal fishery upstream in the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge. If a period of dry years occurs during the term of the agreement, Blue Mesa Reservoir content and productivity would be reduced.