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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RECORD OF DECISION

UNCOMPAHGRE VALLEY RECLAMATION PROJECT
AB LATERAL HYDROPOWER FACILITY
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

I. INTRODUCTION

This record of decision (ROD) of the Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Reclamation (ReClamation), documents the decision
process of whether to approve or disapprove the proposed
AB Lateral Hyd~opower Facility (Facility) as analyzed in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (INT-FES 90-25, dated
August 28, 1990), prepared in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.

The proposed Facility, a non-Federal project, would be funded,
constructed, and operated by the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users
Association (UVWUA) and Montrose Partners, jointly referred to as
the Sponsors. The Sponsors propose to construct the Facility
using existing features of the Uncompahgre Valley Reclamation
Project (UVRP), an irrigation project originally constructed by
Reclamation. Ownership of the Facility may ultimately be
transferred to the UVWUA. The UVRP was authorized by the
Secretary of the Interior on March 14, 1903, under the provisions
of t~e Reclamation Act. Hydropower development in association
with the UVRP was authorized by the Congress June 22, 1938
(PUblic Law 75-698, stat. 941).

The proposed Facility would be located in western Colorado in
Montrose County. Electric power' from the proposed Facility would
initially be spld to the Public Service Company of Colorado under
a contract approved by the Colorado Public utilities Commission.

Alternatives considered for the Facility include the no action
alternative as well as four hydropower alternatives that provide
for various amounts of water diversions from the Gunnison River
through the existing Gunnison Tunnel to varying siz~s of
penstocks and powerplants to be constructed near Montrose,
Colorado. The; sponsors are requesting from Reclamation a
contract, also known as a lease of power privilege contract, that
would permit using UVRP facilities for the hydropower
development.

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