FLOOD02168

• County: Gunnison
• Community: Uncompahgre Valley
• Basin: Gunnison
• Title: Uncompahgre Valley Reclamation Project - Hydropower - Part 4 - Scoping Report Gunnison River Contract
• Date: 1/1/1990
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

which agencies have lead, joint-lead or cooperating agency responsibilities. What is the
distinction between the relationship between the BOR and the NPS, BLM, CWCB that would
not be present if they were designated as cooperating agencies? How will this affect
administration of the NEP A compliance process?

Montrose participants were concerned that the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) should
be more involved, and not just represented by the CWCB. Involvement of the CDOW is needed
to study effects and make recommendations to protect the Gold Medal Trout fishery in the
Gunnison River and the Blue Mesa Reservoir sport fishery. As a result of discussions at the
November 1992 meeting of the CWCB, it was decided that the State of Colorado will be
represented in the NEPA analysis by the CDNR. The CDNR wrote that they will coordinate
participation by the CWCB, the CDOW, the Division of Water Resources, and Attorney
General.

The Non-Federal Parties to the 1975 Exchange Agreement (CRWCD, UGRWCD, and UVWUA)
all requested Cooperating agency status. They also want to be included as. non-Federal,
signatory parties to the contract negotiation (in addition to the CWCB) to represent the interests
of water users of the Gunnison Basin.

Responsibilities of the agencies need to be clearly dermed and coordinated.

Item 22.

Public Involvement - Opportunities for interagency coordination and public
involvement need to be explained for the NEPA, decision-making and contract
development processes.

Refer to: Gunnison, Montrose, and Delta meetings; Congressman Campbell; Mr. Clark; the
City of Colorado Springs; CRWCD; CREDA; the NPCA; Non-Federal Parties to the 1975
Exchange Agreement; UGRWCD; Ms. Kiefer; Mr. Miller; Arapahoe County; Mr. Jorgenson;
the Montrose Economic Development Council; the Sierra Club. (62 comments)

As Congressman Campbell noted, the process for developing a contract began when BOR first
announced it would delay issuing a Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed AB Lateral
Project. At that time, the BOR announced that it would be negotiating with other Department
of Interior and State agencies to draft an agreement that would allow the Aspinall Unit to
provide adequate flows for fish, wildlife and recreational uses in addition to satisfying the
demand for water to develop new hydro-electric and water storage projects.

Congressman Campbell stated that while the Gunnison Basin has long been in turmoil over waterrights, western slope communities have demonstrated an admirable amount of cohesion around
common issues. The UGRWCD, CRWCD, Tri-County Water Conservancy District, UVWUA,
Colorado Ute, City of Delta, and others have been concerned about being able to use their
Gunnison River water rights. Campbell felt the public meetings marked the beginning of the
process to protect the Gunnison River and, represents an opportunity to solidify and stabilize

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