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<br />C. Proposed Project <br /> <br />The initial project proposed developing a water delivery contract for the Aspinall Unit to <br />provide a long-term water supply to the Black Canyon to protect its water-related resources. <br />As a result of scoping, the project has expanded to provide similar protection to the <br />Gunnison Gorge and downstream endangered fish habitat. The contract would establish a <br />process to determine and guarantee the quantity of water which the Aspinall Unit can deliver <br />annually to the Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge and endangered fish habitat and for <br />consumptive uses above and below the Aspinall Unit. It would also set forth guidelines <br />regarding the manner in which the releases are made. Alternatives and environmental <br />impacts will be determined, evaluated, and documented in compliance with National <br />Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements throughout negotiations and prior to <br />execution of the contract. <br /> <br />D. Goals of the Proposed Contract <br /> <br />With construction of the Aspinall Unit in the 1960's and 1970's, releases of water from the <br />Aspinall Unit (except those diverted through the intervening Gunnison Tunnel) flow through <br />and affect the nature and functions of the Gunnison River within the Black Canyon and the <br />Gunnison Gorge. In preparing for the NPS to quantify the Black Canyon's reserved water <br />right, it became apparent that cooperation and support of many affected agencies would be <br />necessary to perfect the right, and that other issues affecting the agencies needed to be <br />resolved. This cooperative effort between Federal, State, and local agencies is needed to <br />provide a balanced water resource management plan that will 1) protect the water-related <br />resources of the Black Canyon and lead to quantification of its federal reserved water right, <br />2) fulfill Federal responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act to assist in the recovery <br />of endangered fish species of the Upper Colorado River Basin, and 3) determine the <br />availability of water stored in Blue Mesa Reservoir for use by the people of Colorado. The, <br />goals of the contract are to provide equitably for the long-term protection of: <br /> <br />-Aspinall Unit water storage purposes; <br />-purposes and resources of the Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge, and Curecanti; <br />-Colorado's ability to develop water apportioned to it under interstate compacts and <br />its share of Aspinall Unit storage; <br />-downstream endangered fish species; and <br />-existing uses in the Gunnison Basin under Colorado water law. <br /> <br />The lead agencies (BOR and NPS) need to develop statements to identify the purpose of and <br />need for the proposed contract. These statements should reflect the results of this scoping <br />effort, and will guide NEPA and contract development activities by all cooperating agencies <br />and the interested public. <br /> <br />4 <br />