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,.- ., (' ~', ;"'.l.~C . ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS This summary analysis of both the written and oral statements ~resents a digest of the comments and issues presented at the public hearings for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The hearings were held at Aspen, Colorado, on May 29, 1974, and at Pueblo, Colorado, on May 31, 1974. They were held as a part of the Bureau's compliance with the NEPA Df 1969, the CEO Guidelines published in Federal Register, and the Bureau of Reclamation Instructions, Part 376.5.9A, The Bureau of Reclamation appreciates the interest shown by those organizations and individuals participating in the public hearings and submitting written statements. The Bureau is appreciative of the support and data made available by the many local interests and cooperating State and Federal agencies. . Eleven of the 24 oral statements presented at the hearings at Aspen were presented as representing local~ State, and National environmental and civic groups or organizations; three of the oral statements were presented by Pitkin County Commissioners on behalf of the County; one presentation was made representing the Colorado Division of Wildlife, one oral statement was presented as representing the Lake County Soil Conservation District; an oral statement was made by a representative of the newspaper Aspen Today; and the remaining seven oral statements were presented by interested and concerned citizens of the community. Most of those attending the hearing were interested citizens of the communi ty. The oral statements of the representatives of the eleven environmental and civic groups raised or concurred with six major issues and several other issues of lesser importance. The six major issues include: (1) degradation of the aesthetics of the area of the Project water collection system; (2) the minimum bypass flows at the diversion points of the collection system are inadequate and the gaging stations are too far downstream; (3) the minimum pool in Ruedi Reservoir is inadequate; (4) the Project contributes to the salinity problem within the Colorado River Basin; (5) the Operating Principles are out of date and should be revised and; (6) the environmental statement does not adequately consider the Project's effects on fish and wildlife. . The tbree Pitkin County Commissioners raised other major issues in addition to those above. Some of these major issues include: (1) the environmental statement does not comply with NEPA or CEO guidelines for preparation of environmental statements; (2) the Project does not include adequate recreation facilities at Ruedi Reservoir, Turquoise Lake, Twin Lakes, Clear Creek Reservoir, or Pueblo Reservoir, nor does the environmental statement adequately describe recreation facilities and; (3) the access roads constructed within the collection system should be obliterated and/or closed to the public. Xl-426