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<br />~ <br /> <br />nOJ842 <br /> <br />United States Department of Interior <br />Bureau of Reclamation <br />Power Ot1ice <br /> <br />FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT <br /> <br />MORROW POINT CIMARRON DREDGING PROJECT <br /> <br />In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. and based on <br />the following, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has determined that the proposed <br />Morrow Point Cimarron Dredging Project will not result in a significant impact on the human <br />environment. <br /> <br />A series of high flow events (including 1983-1984) in the Cimarron River moved large quantities <br />of gravel and other malerial rrom,the Cimarron River and deposited it at the confluence with the <br />Gunnison River (upper end of Crystal Reservoir), The deposited material created a backwater <br />pool in the Morrow Point Powerplant tailrace, This has resulted in losses in hydropower <br />generating efficiencies at Morrow Point Powerplant and the ability to dewater the spillway <br />stilling basin. <br /> <br />The purpose and need of the dredging project is to lower the water elevation in the powerplant <br />tailrace to improve hydropower generating efficiency by restoring the tailrace and river channel <br />below Morrow Point Reservoir to its original post-dam construction elevation, Reclamation <br />proposes to remove approximately 11.000 cubic yards of gravel deposited in the upper end of <br />Crystal Reservoir at the contluence of the Gunnison and Cimarron Rivers. <br /> <br />Reclamalion identitied issues and concerns with participation from individuals. agencies. and <br />organizations who may be atfected by the project. The Cimarron Dredging Project was first <br />presented to the general public at the January 2001 Aspinall operations meeting, On January 25, <br />200 I, a scoping letter requesting the public review and comment on the dredging project, was <br />mailed to interested parties and was published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Comments <br />received identified concerns with the project's potential to reduce water quality, trout tisheries, <br />and recreational uses on the Gunnison River below Crystal Reservoir, <br /> <br />A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared in July 2001. Comments from the public <br />and agencies and organizations were used to prepare a final EA in September 200 l. Comments <br />received, and responses are included to in the tinal EA. Coordination on the project included <br />consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under the Endangered Species Act and <br />Army Corps of Engineers. <br /> <br />The EA evaluated No Action and Proposed Action Alternatives, <br />