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<br />negative effects on trout habitat; one example of a negative <br />effect is the reduction in winter flows that help move sediment <br />out of the Gunnison Gorge area. <br /> <br />The concerns with tourism, recreation, and economic growth are <br />valid. The FEIS concludes that some losses to rafting would <br />occur and some gains to fishing. However, in the long term (even <br />under the no-action alternative), management controls may be <br />needed to control the increased numbers of recreationists, or <br />much of the attractiveness of the river environment would be <br />compromised. <br /> <br />19. MIl. JrM ZARTMAN: (Representing Riverside Grange and <br />Uncompahgre Pomona). More people are attracted to this area by a <br />green and growing agriculture than by all of the recreation <br />projects put together. This project is an opportunity to help <br />the farmer and rancher in the area. The disadvantages are small <br />in comparison. <br /> <br />RESPONSE: The development alternatives are designed to give <br />irrigation water priority over hydropower water. In addition, <br />revenues would directly and indirectly benefit irrigators in the <br />Uncompahgre Valley. <br /> <br />20. MIl. CALEB GATES: People come to the Gunnison River to catch <br />big fish; not fish hatchery fish, and having flows at 300 ft'/s <br />will compromise the river. At a minimum, the river will heat up; <br />we have to be cautious with long-term effects. <br /> <br />The Bureau's alternative flow data differs a lot from the <br />historical flow data, and I would just like that clarified in the <br />final EIS. This is because we are getting down to some very low <br />thresholds on the Gunnison River; we can't have 200-500 through <br />1,000 ft'/s differences in the computer model. <br /> <br />The Uncompahgre River is of high economic concern; the potential <br />for erosion from increased flows is significant. Uncompahgre <br />flow tables in the DEIS contain averages, not minimums and <br />maximums. The information is incomplete and misleading. There <br />is no information on flows at Delta or below the Selig Canal <br />or on a year-by-year basis as there is at Colona. <br /> <br />DEIS proposes riprapping by dropping boulders on the bank, and <br />lateral erosion will cause them to fall into the river and serve <br />as protection. Later, the EIS talks about placing the riprap on <br />the bank. Also, canalization is discussed along with loss of <br />riparian habitat and headgates of canals being filled with <br />sediment. The river will be constantly fighting to get back to <br />equilibrium and will be very costly. <br /> <br />Is the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association or Mitex <br />prepared to pay for these potential problems? The DEIS does not <br />discuss cost overruns. I am concerned about how informed all <br />members of the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users are concerning this <br />project, the potential cost overruns, and the potential to lose <br /> <br />P-14 <br />