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contract analysis should review options for Blue Mesa storage meeting commitments made for mitigation for the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects. The analysis should determine the impacts to any other Federally or State-listed threatened or endangered species which may be present in the affected areas. Analyses should consider impacts of changes to the reservoir levels and streamflow regimes, including impacts of changes to winter flows to food sources, such as kokanee salmon at Blue Mesa Reservoir for wintering bald eagles, and fish for river otters. The contract analysis should determine the impacts of the contract water flows on other wildlife species which may be affected. This should include impacts on river otters and other furbearers, migratory waterfowl, great blue herons, and birds nesting near the waters edge. The areas to be considered in the study would include the Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge, and Curecanti. The contract analysis should address impacts to riparian habitat and wetlands. This should include studies on impacts to wildlife habitat, riparian and wetland vegetation species distribution and diversity, and macroinvertebrates. Studies should be conducted to identify the natural, pre- impoundment, and present aquatic conditions in order to assess stream flow conditions needed to preserve the biological integrity of Black Canyon. Consideration should be given to the conditions necessary to preserve the aquatic and riparian biodiversity of the area and any cumulative impacts which may impair preservation of the natural aquatic ecosystem within the Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge, and Curecanti. I I ~ , D. Physical Proc:esses Item 16. Flooding, Sedimentation, Erosion - Address impacts on the physical environment and processes including upstream icing and flooding, downstream flooding and streambank erosion, sedimentation and other hydrologic river channel maintenance processes. I \ I Refer to: Gunnison, Montrose and Delta meetings; Mr. Butterfield; Ms. Kiefer; the Montrose County Commissioners; the Montrose Economic Development Council; Montrose Partners; the Colorado Mountain Club; Commissioner Corey; UGRWCD. (37 comments) Many concerns were expressed about potential impacts of operating the Aspinall Unit to make contract releases on flooding, sedimentation, river channel maintenance, and streambank erosion. Flooding was a concern both downstream and upstream of the Aspinall Unit. Gunnison, Montrose, and Delta meeting participants feared that downstream floods would increase when high spring releases combine with peak flows of the North Fork, the Uncompahgre River, and the Colorado River. Montrose participants identified the need to improve prediction capabilities for flood protection. The Montrose County Commissioners, the Montrose Economic Development Council, and Delta meeting participants asked who would pay for damages (including repair of structures between Crystal and Grand Junction) and increased liability costs associated with floods. Upstream flooding concerns in Gunnison were associated with winter 31