WSP00769 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

001898 '. Gunnison River Contmct ScoOin2 - SORTED Comments /;@;~~;': 8. NONFED75; p2,13-<;. 3) We do not agree, nor do we consent to the designation of 300,000 acre-feet as the amount which is 'available for beneficial consumptive use within the State of Colorado" [1 s.c. and 5.f.] a) We are not aware of any study by Reclamation which substantiates a project yield of 300,000 acre-feet as available for development. b) It is our understanding that 60,000 acre-feet is available for depletion by present and future in-basin users upstream from the Aspinall Unit, and that 60,000 acre-feet is not part of the Aspinall Unit yield, nor is it stomble under the Aspinall Unit decrees. c) We do. not agree that part of the Aspinall Unit yield is available for use anywhere in Colorado. Under the terms of the Aspinall Unit decrees and the assignment of those decrees to the United States, use of Aspinall Unit water must be made within the natural basin of tbe Gunnison River. 8. NONFED75; p2,'7. 4) .Our understanding is that the biological opinions issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service covering the Dallas Creek and Dolores Projects set aside up to 150,000 acre feet of Aspinall Unit water to offset the impacts of these two projects. It is not clear from the draft contract where this water fits into the proposed Aspinall operations. We recommend water set aside, pursuant to the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects biological opinions, be specifically identified and addressed in the contract. 8. NONFED75; p3,'4. a) What are the possible impacts (of changes to the historic and existing operations) to flat-water recreation within the Curecanti National Recreation Area (CNRA)? Is the Park Service neglecting the CNRA in favor of an agreement for flows through the Black Canyon? :.... 8. UGRWCD; p2,'4. 7. Operational releases from the Aspinall Unit intended to provide a minimum flow of 300 cfs in the Black Canyon should be continued in such a manner that the Nature Conservancy watcr right in the Black Canyon will not need to place a call on the Gunnison River above Blue Mesa Reservoir. ~~~:r;:'{i~::~:; 8: UGR WCD; p2, '6. 9. The contract should seek to integrate upper and lower Gunnison Basin needs without harming the upper or lower basin. It should not create conflicts between the upper and lower basin. 8. UGRWCD; p3,18. 19. Contract activities should also be coordinated with. the endangered fish recovery program. Concurrent uses of water for the Black Canyon and the endangered fish should be made where possible. Nevertheless the water quantity needs for the endangered fish should be justified separately from the water quantity needs for the Black Canyon. ....... 25