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stability of tourism in our economy, nor can we allow the environmental degradation of the Gunnison and uncompahgre Rivers proposed by this EIS. By decreasing the average flows in the Gunnison River, the entire biological make-up, including trout, will be negatively affected. The river reach between the North Fork and Austin has increased greatly in fisheries value. Increased temperatures in this reach will reduce trout growth potential and increase hooking mortality. Trout metabolism increases with temperature rises; the trout react to this danger by decreasing their activity levels, and the fishing becomes slower. Eagles and otters will be impacted. not support prey species for these. and the DEIS does not address this. The Uncompahgre River will Eagles winter near Austin RESPONSE: The need for the project power is discussed in chapter I of the FEIS, and additional information can be found in the RESPONSE to COMMENT F-6. The hydropower project would contribute economically to the region for the long term, as would agriculture and tourism. The EIS describes impacts on recreation and tourism; rafting is expected to decline, while hike-in fishing would increase along the Gunnison River. The effect of flow changes on fish and fish habitat is described in the EIS. As indicated, summer temperatures would increase, particularly in the lower reaches of the river. However, low flow periods also occur under the no-action alternative. River flows are changed the least during the summer months of low flow years when temperatures increase the most. The Uncompahgre River and the Gunnison River would continue to provide eagle and otter habitat. Habitat conditions would not be ideal in the Uncompahgre River, but in some areas they could improve over existing conditions. 32. MR. CHUCK WORLZY: Under normal circumstances, I could support this project because hydropower is nonpolluting; however, there are some aspects of this project that make it a bad bargain. The power is not needed. Doesn't it make more sense for Public Service Company to buy or rent some of Colorado-Ute's excess capacity rather than add another source to the glut? Furthermore, there is no real assurance that this project will help the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users in the long run. There may not be a market for the power when the existing contract expires in 15 years. What happens if there are increased mitigation costs after Mitex pulls out? Many of the negative impacts of this project may not be known for 25 years. Do the waper users assume these responsibilities? Another power factor that needs to be considered is the inadequacy of the national energy situation--the whole energy situation is so volatile right now, that nobody knows for sure p-25