WSP02110

• File Number: 8210.430
• Description: Colorado River Basin Organizations-Entities - Gunnison - UVWUA - AB Lateral
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 8/28/1990
• Author: BOR
• Title: AB Lateral Hydropower Project - Supplemental Environmental Impact Report - 1990 Summary of Final EIS and 1991 Record of Decision
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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SUMMARY

restoration and revegetation plans, Increased flows in the
Uncompahgre River would probably cause changes in the
distribution of wintering waterfowl along that river, Reduced
flows in the Gunnison River should not significantly affect
wildlife resources, Increased hike-in fishing could, however,
lead to wildlife disturbance during the spring and fall.
Features of development alternatives include deer escape ramps
along the AB' Lateral and rapt or-proofing of transmission lines to
reduce impacts to wildlife,

Endangered bald eagles are common winter residents along rivers
in the area, with the greatest concentrations occurring along the
Gunnison River, Changes in river flows and accompanying ice
conditions cOuld affect use by eagles, A monitoring program has
been recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and
adopted by the Sponsors,

LAND USE AND RECREATION

Significant land use changes are not projected under the
no-action alternative, Construction of development alternatives
would disturb approximately 234 acres of land, the majority of
which is now used for livestock grazing or irrigated agriculture,
Approximately 127 acres of land would be needed for operation of
the facility, However, permanent land use changes would occur on
only about 30 acres; this amount includes 24 acres of grazing
land between the powerplant and the Uncompahgre River.. The
remaining 6 acres would be used for the operation and maintenance
of the enlarged AB Lateral and its associated structures,

Under the nO-action alternative, recreational use along the
Gunnison River would be affected by management plans of the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service
(NPS). With development, river flows would decline, leading to a
decrease in private and commercial rafting and an increase in
hikers and anglers, The existing wilderness area in the Black
Canyon of the' Gunnison National MonUlnent would have reduced river
flows, particularly during the winter; this FEIS addresses the
impacts of this reduction on resources within the Monument. The
recreational value of the Uncompahgre River 'would continue to be
limited from a public standpoint because of scarce public land
along the river, However, various groups have recently developed
trails and other pub:ic use areas along the river, and this trend
is expected to continue. River flow changes in the Uncompahgre
River would not deter from such developments except in the 4-mile
reach between the Loutzenhizer Diversion and Montrose, where
flows would be significantly reduced by the development
alternatives, . As indicated previouSly, alternatives E and F
would provide additional flows to this reach as compared to othe~
development alternatives.

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