Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Mr. Jorgenson commented that the contract analysis should also address the AB Lateral Project <br />as a "real danger" to the river and its associated fishery and recreational uses. <br /> <br />b. Wilderness and Wild/Scenic River Values (6 comments) <br /> <br />A full range of values needs to be investigated in regard to the contract's impacts on the <br />established wilderness in the Black Canyon, and the proposed establishment of the Gunnison <br />Gorge Wilderness Area. These should include maintenance and enhancement of wilderness <br />character, removal of signs of human use, and renewal of campsites. The analysis should also <br />determine how the contract would affect or correlate with -recommended designation of the <br />reaches of the Gunnison River as a Wild and Scenic River flowing through the Black Canyon <br />and the Gunnison Gorge. <br /> <br />c. Fishery Resources (36 comments) <br /> <br />The analysis needs to determine impacts of the contract flow regime on native and sport fish <br />populations in the Gunnison River (including the Gold Medal Trout fishery), and in the <br />reservoirs of the Curecanti (especially the sport fishery of Blue Mesa Reservoir). The analysis <br />needs to take into consideration any possible future changes which may be required under the <br />Endangered Species Act, especially in regard to the impacts of those actions to the Gold Medal <br />Trout fishery. Issues to address include the size, timing, and duration of peak flows, the <br />ascending and descending ramping of flows, effects on reproduction, survival rates, habitat, and <br />economic impacts to the Gold Medal Trout fishery. <br /> <br />C. Biological Resources <br /> <br />Item 15. <br /> <br />Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife and Habitat - The analysis should identify <br />impacts to many species and their habitats, including the endangered fish, other <br />threatened or endangered species in the area, and aquatic and terrestrial species <br />affected by changes to riparian or wetland habitat along the Gunnison River and <br />shorelines of the reservoirs. <br /> <br />Refer to: <br /> <br />Gunnison, Montrose and Delta meetings; Mr. Butterfield; Mr. Jorgenson; <br />Colorado Mountain Club; EPA; Mr. Kiefer; WAPA. (29 comments) <br /> <br />As discussed in Item 6, the analysis should determine how altered flows through the contract will <br />affect endangered fish of the Colorado River and assist in their recovery. This should include <br />determining necessary spring flow peaks, flow regimes throughout the year (for low, average <br />and high water years), habitat needs, reproductive needs for the endangered species, and other <br />criteria deemed necessary by analyses required by the Endangered Species Act. <br /> <br />Questions were raised on how the Biological Opinions on the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects <br />would affect the array of alternatives, and how they related directly to the Aspinall Unit. The <br /> <br />30 <br />