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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION <br />This draft environmental assessment (EA) discusses two related actions proposed to assist in the <br />recovery of two Federally - listed endangered fish species. The actions are intended to restore <br />use of historic and designated critical habitat of the Gunnison River by the Colorado squawfish <br />and razorback sucker. The proposed actions are to: <br />• construct and operate a fish passageway around the Redlands Diversion Dam; and <br />• execute an interim (short-term) memorandum of agreement (water agreement) to supply <br />streamflows needed to operate the passageway and maintain downstream fish habitat and <br />access for fish to the passageway. <br />The EA is prepared jointly by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Fish and <br />Wildlife Service (Service) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) <br />of 1969 (Public Law 91 -190), the Endangered Species Act, and related Department of Interior <br />policies and regulations. <br />A need has been identified to allow endangered fish species to move upstream past the Redlands <br />Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River so they can complete their life cycle and establish self - <br />sustaining populations. In meeting this need, the following purposes and objectives are <br />considered: <br />• flexibility to study effectiveness of the passageway and river flows; <br />• maintenance of adequate flows to operate a fish passageway and to allow native fish <br />movement in the lower Gunnison River below the Redlands Diversion Dam; <br />• protection of the purposes of the Redlands Diversion Dam; <br />• prevention of non - native fish from moving upstream past the Redlands Diversion Dam; and <br />• protection of existing water rights and uses. <br />Once required flows have been identified and passageway effectiveness has been monitored, it <br />is expected that a long -term water supply contract will be negotiated that will replace the interim <br />water agreement. Development of the long -term contract involves additional public input and <br />documentation under NEPA and the Endangered Species Act. <br />1 <br />