WSPC00304

• File Number: 8220.106.I
• Description: Colorado River Water Projects - Animas La Plata - Environmental Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/15/2004
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Animas La Plata Project - Environmental Commitment and Monitoring Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Q008a3

reduction will be provided in the form of sound insulation within the pumping
plant and vegetative screening designed as part of site landscaping.
ii) By Operation:
(1) Durango Pumping Plant:
(a) Reclamation will pursue a pumping regime to reduce adverse effects on
boating in the Animas River such as altering pumping regimes during
competitive events to minimize affect of pumping on the event.

b) Compensatory Mitigation:
i) River Recreation:
(1) Although it was determined in the 2000 FSEIS that the impact of the reduction of
flows in the Animas River caused by the operation of the Durango Pumping Plant
was less than significant to river rafting and boating activities, Reclamation will
provide funding (not to exceed $500,000) for the acquisition of public access at a
minimum of two points on the Animas River between the High Bridge (located on
U.S. Highway 550/160) and the confluence of Basin Creek as part of both the
fishery and recreation mitigation program.

11) Socioeconomics - No significant impacts were identified for socioeconomics.

12) Land Use - Increased recreation within Ridges Basin could increase violations of Colorado
Division of Wildlife (CDOW) restrictions within Bodo State Wildlife Area and could reduce
the rural quality of the surrounding area; however, no specific environmental commitments
were made for Land Use.

13) Hazardous Materials - Construction of the Durango Pumping Plant could expose
contaminated materials. Hazardous materials used for the construction of the Durango
Pumping Plant and Ridges Basin Dam could cause stream pollution, There is the potential
for hazardous materials located in the Bodo Canyon UMTRA Disposal Site to impact Ridges
Basin Reservoir. A number of the impacts stated in this section have already been discussed
in the Water Quality section and some of the avoidance/minimization and mitigation
measures are repeated in this section.

a) A voidance/Minimization:
i) By Design:
(1) Durango Pumping Plant:
(a) The pumping plant will be designed to allow for the continued unrestricted
movement of groundwater on the site, See 2) Water Quality (2.a.)
(b) The pumping plant will be designed to minimize the disturbance of
contannnated materials. Procedures will be developed for radiological
monitoring of excavated soils and groundwater encountered and remedial

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