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<br />SOME PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />Many commented on how difficult it will be to <br />articulate alternatives for the proposal. Some <br />suggested factors to consider when developing the <br />contract. They stressed that the contract must be <br />compatible with the "Law of the River" and <br />Colorado State water law. It should also provide <br />flexibility for Colorado to use its Aspinall Unit <br />water. The contract should account for releases <br />and provide balance between competing goals. <br />Priorities, quantities, timing, and ramping rates <br />(flow changes) need to be defined in the contract. <br /> <br />Suggestions for alternatiyes concerned different <br />ways to define "no-action;" developing alternative <br />contract provisions to evaiuate which emphasize <br />meeting competitive needs in varying degrees <br />(contract alternatives); and different actions, other <br />than development of a contract, to resolve the <br />issues (non-contract alternatives). <br /> <br />Some proposed alternatives: <br /> <br />. do nothing (rely solely on NPS quantification of <br />the Black Canyon's Federal reserved water right <br />and/or results of Endangered Species Act <br />consultation to determine future Aspinall <br />operations) <br /> <br />. use Crystal Reservoir as are-regulating <br />reservoir to meet downstream flows.while <br />accommodating power production and supplying. . <br />a minimum 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) <br />instream flow through the Black Canyon <br /> <br /> <br />Black Canyon of the GUDnison NatiolJ.J Monument <br /> <br /> <br />tit <br /> <br />Blue Mesa Reservoir, Curecanti National RccreatiOlJ Area <br /> <br />. provide seasonally fluctuating flows which <br />exceed the 300 cfs instream water right <br /> <br />. restrict the quantity of water released under the <br />contract to an amount which would leave <br />sufficient supplies for development of the AB <br />Lateral Project <br /> <br />· leave as much water in the river as possible tit <br /> <br />. provide for more stability and less fluctuation at <br />Blue Mesa Reservoir, including higher target <br />level in winter <br /> <br />. meet Black Canyon needs by developing the <br />Union Park Project and passing required flows <br />from its decree (200 cfs May I-Sept. 30; 50 cfs <br />Oct. I-April 30) <br /> <br />. meet Black Canyon needs by using habitat <br />improvements (such as channel improvemeni:S;- <br />habitat modifications, and fish stocking) <br /> <br />. protect endangered fish through Federal <br />purchase or condemnation of water rights <br /> <br />. pump groundwater into the Gunnison River <br />Basin <br /> <br />. construct the Colorado Aqueduct Return Project <br />(CARP) to develop and use Colorado's compact <br />entitlement & provide water for endangered fish <br /> <br />tit <br /> <br />Gunnison River Contract <br />