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<br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />The alternatives in the FEIS involve generating hydroelectric <br />power using flows diverted from the Gunnison River and the <br />elevation difference between the West Portal of the Tunnel and <br />the uncompahgre River in Montrose. A portion of the flows .that <br />would be diverted would also be used to meet UVRP irrigation <br />needs; the remaining flows would be diverted for power <br />generation. Four financially feasible alternatives, designated <br />alternatives B, C, E, and F, are presented in the FEIS along <br />with descriptions of plans that were studied but were found <br />infeasible. Alternative A is the no-action alternative. <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVE A <br /> <br />Existing UVRP operating conditions would continue under <br />alternative A. Water would continue to be diverted between March <br />and November from the Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers to irrigate <br />lands in Delta and Montrose Counties. Water diverted from the <br />Gunnison River through the Tunnel is delivered to the Uncompahgre <br />River through the South Canal and Cedar Creek. After entering <br />the Uncompahgre River, Gunnison River flows are combined with <br />Uncompahgre River flows and diverted into six major canal <br />systems. Mean annual diversions from the Gunnison River are <br />336,411 acre-feet. <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVE B <br /> <br />Alternative B would divert water from the existing South Canal <br />and AB Lateral into a penstock leading to a new powerhouse near <br />Montrose. Discharges from the powerhouse would enter the <br />Uncompahgre River through an excavated tailrace. New construc- <br />tion would include the powerhouse, penstock, transmission line, <br />access roads, and tailrace. Modifications of existing facilities <br />would include a portion of the existing AB Lateral, South Canal, <br />and access roads. <br /> <br />The AB Lateral would be enlarged to a capacity of 1,235 ft'/s and <br />concrete-lined for 7,100 feet of its length. A penstock with a <br />1,135-ft'/s capacity would be constructed to carry water from. the <br />lateral to a powerplant to be constructed north of Montrose. The <br />other 100 ft'/s would be used for irrigation purposes. The <br />38,380-foot penstock would be approximately 10 to 11 feet in <br />diameter and would be buried. The powerplant would contain two <br />Pelton turbines and generators designed to safely pass a maximum <br />flow of 1,135 ft'/s. Power would be transmitted through a new <br />l15,OOO-volt (115 kilovolt [kV]) transmission line that would run <br />north-south for approximately 3 miles between existing <br />substations. <br /> <br />S - 5 <br />