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18. DR. JOHN UNGER: The DEIS is flawed in many ways that have already been brought out. The willingness to pay issue is important and will become more important as more and more citizens make use of these resources. I read in the paper that Colorado-Ute is uncomfortable with this concept of more power being produced, when they are awash in it, and drowning in their own power, laying off more people. The project will generate electricity that is not needed and they will be forced to buy it under Federal law. The price of the electricity is distorted--it is not market driven--it is done through PURPA. We need to be cautious with projections of power need. We need to decrease our need for increased electricity. The loss of parts of two of the five criteria for the wild and Scenic River designation is significant. This could completely eliminate the Gunnison from designation. Non-consumptive use of resources is important to the economy. The low flows in the Uncompahgre River through Montrose takes away the beauty from the town. Reducing flows in the Gunnison River by one-half cannot help the Gold Medal fishery in the Gunnison River and needs more explanation. We need to look to the future at tourism and recreation; the Gunnison River should be protected for economic growth. PrOductivity can also be measured in beauty, in our natural environment. That's why so many of us live here. It can be measured by fish in the streams, rafting those streams. It attracts people here who have non-consumptive attitudes, without using them up, and point them in some other direction, which takes them out of the place of this beautiful panorama of beauty, and scenic splendor we live in. RESPONSE: The issue about willingness to pay is discussed in the response to Ms. Ginnie Brannon (see COMMENT NO.7). Project power would be sold to the Public Service Company; Colorado-Ute would be involved in wheeling the energy. As mentioned in Mr. Unger's comment, the power would be sold under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). Please see RESPONSE to COMMENT F-6 for additional information. Based on input from the NPS, the EIS concludes that the river would remain eligible for designation as a wild river. Two criteria that make it eligible would be affected, not lost, as explained in the EIS. The reduced flows in the Uncompahgre River through the city of Montrose would have aesthetic and other impacts. The flow reduction would occur during the irrigation season and primarily from July through September. The EIS addresses the impacts of this reduction; also see RESPONSES to COMMENTS F-79 and OR-21. Gunnison River flows would be reduced under all development alternatives; the effect of this on the trout fishery is discussed. Certain aspects would have positive as well as P-13