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

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■ Recreation- -Minor benefits may occur to recreation in the Gunnison Gorge area in dry years. As with fish and wildlife, recreation at Blue Mesa Reservoir would be adversely affected if a period of dry years occurs. Interest in providing a portage or takeout for boaters around the Redlands Diversion Dam as part of the endangered fish passage has been expressed. Because of concerns for safety, land ownership, and other factors, this is not included as part of the plan. ■ Future Development and Economics- -The Gunnison River is very important to local and regional economies. From a basin -wide perspective, this and other plans of the Recovery Program are designed to recover endangered fish species while allowing water development and use to continue. The program is designed to avoid confrontations between development and resource protection, and completion of the Redlands fish passageway is considered a very important part of the Recovery Program. Alternatives developed for the interim water agreement provide a large measure of protection to water users in the Gunnison Basin. Agreements are being developed to protect the operations of the Redlands Diversion Dam. Releases under the water agreement would not change hydropower production. Water in Blue Mesa is available for a variety of uses including supporting private development. To date, the demand for acquiring this water for development has been small, but water remains for sale. The Colorado Water Conservation Board is conducting studies to determine how the endangered fish can be recovered without adversely affecting Colorado's existing and future water uses. The Board believes the program can and should protect both the fish and present and future water development. The Gunnison River downstream from Delta is designated as critical habitat for the endangered fish, and projects adversely affecting the river must address this issue, whether or not a fish passageway is constructed. The Dominguez Project, a water project of local interest, would inundate areas of critical habitat and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will have to consider this when evaluating the project. In terms of overall water resources development, the Recovery Program's goal is to recover the fish species while allowing water development. ■ National Environmental Policy Act - -The environmental assessment is prepared to evaluate impacts of the proposals and their alternatives. The water agreement being considered is temporary and effects would be monitored to lead to a long -term plan. Prior to implementation of long -term flow changes, additional NEPA compliance, perhaps involving an Environmental Impact Statement, will be needed. Public comments on the draft Environmental Assessment are requested by March 15, 1995, for consideration in the final decision - making process.