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<br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />Alternative A <br /> <br />l\'o ~ <br /> <br />Existing UVRP operating conditions would continue under <br />alternative A. Water would continue to be diverted from the <br />Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers to irrigate lands in Delta and <br />Montrose Counties. Water diverted from the Gunnison River <br />through the Gunnison Tunnel is delivered to the Uncompahgre River <br />through the South Canal. After entering the Uncompahgre River, <br />Gunnison River flows are combined with Uncompahgre River flows <br />and diverted into six major canal systems. Mean annual <br />diversions from the Gunnison River are 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 <br />construction would include the powerhouse, penstock, transmission <br />line, access roads, and tailrace. Modifications of existing <br />facilities would include a portion of the existing AB Lateral, <br />South Canal, and access roads. <br /> <br />The AB Lateral would be enlarged to a capacity of 1,235 cubic <br />feet per second (ft'/s) for 7,100 feet of its length. A penstock <br />with an 1,135-ft'/s capacity would be constructed to carry water <br />from the lateral to a powerplantto be constructed north of <br />Montrose. The other 100 ft'/s would be used for irrigation <br />purposes. The 38,380-foot penstock would be approximately 10 to <br />11 feet in diameter and would be buried. The powerplant would <br />contairi two Pelton turbines and generators designed to safely <br />pass a maximum flow of 1,135 ft'/s. Power would be transmitted <br />through a new 115,000-volt (115 kilovolt [kV)) transmission line <br />that would run 2.1 miles north to an existing substation. <br /> <br />Water for the powerplant would be diverted from the Gunnison <br />River using a priority system for allocating flows to irrigation <br />needs, instream flow needs, and power production needs. <br />Irrigation demands and instream flow agreements would be given <br />priority over hydropower needs. A minimum instream flow level of <br />300 ft'/s would be met in the Gunnison River. <br /> <br />Environmental commitments in alternative B include protection of <br />in stream flows and irrigation supplies; acquisition and <br />development of lands for wetland replacement; acquisition of <br />lands to preserve an endangered plant species; deer escapes in <br />the enlarged AB Lateral; protection of riverbanks along the <br />Uncompahgre River downstream from the powerplant; monitoring of <br /> <br />S - 2 <br />