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<br />The NPCA generally requested that the statutory and regulatory authority for each agency to <br />participate in the contract be clearly identified and discussed (see Items 2-6 and 21). <br /> <br />Item 2. <br /> <br />Aspinall Unit Purposes - BOR should clearly establish the purpose, need and <br />authority. for the contract and ensure that it is compatible with authorized Aspinall <br />Unit purposes. <br /> <br />Refer to: Gunnison and Montrose meetings; Arapahoe County; Congressman Campbell; City <br />of Colorado Springs; CREDA; CWCB; NPCA; Commissioner Corey. (17 comments) <br /> <br />Many respondents were concerned that the proposed water deliveries are for incidental purposes <br />of the Aspinall Unit, and would interfere with primary purposes of the Unit; these concerns are <br />further addressed in Item 7. The NPCA asked that implications of each of the Aspinall Unit <br />purposes, as cited on page 8 of the Information Packet and repeated under the section in Chapter <br />I on historic operation of the Aspinall Unit, be described in clear detail, including their relative <br />priority and intensity of conflict. <br /> <br />The City of Colorado Springs questioned the "need" for this action, asking why goals of the <br />action aren't being met at the current time, and to what constituency the agencies are responding <br />in advocating the proposal. Congressman Campbell asserted that the contract is necessary "to <br />provide certainty that future water deliveries will not be impeded when the government <br />completes its study of the impacts the Aspinall Unit has on endangered fish. It must also be <br />done to protect the resources of the Gunnison River." Congressman Campbell mentioned: <br /> <br />"To resolve the uncertainties, I asked the BOR, NPS, and FWS to work with water <br />users, the State, and the Justice Department to develop a water contract that would also <br />anticipate the passage of the legislation to designate the Gunnison River as a Wild and <br />Scenic River, create a National Conservation Area and redesignate the Black Canyon of <br />the Gunnison National Monument, protect the new park and recognize existing water <br />rights.... my bill is very much alive and is the most immediate vehicle that is available <br />to help achieve the goals ... of ensuring that the Gunnison River is protected... " <br /> <br />CREDA questioned the ability of the United States to enter into a contract in perpetuity, and the <br />basis for binding the United States to a contract with the State. They were also concerned about <br />conflict resolution if Federal agencies don't agree, and potential for conflict with future <br />Congressional legislation. <br /> <br />I <br />I Gunnison participants asked what priority power would be assigned in the contract, and the <br />I NPCA was concerned that power production would be allowed to overshadow other concerns <br />in the contract negotiations. Gunnison and Montrose meeting participants and Commissioner <br />I Corey asserted that the original purposes for the Aspinall Unit are currently being met and have <br />! not changed, and that they must be recognized as the first priority in a contract with the Black <br />I, Canyon. <br />I <br /> <br />13 <br />