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<br />^ ",'., "'" ~3 <br />:J ,~F _~.; j <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />would be made to reduce ice development in the Gunnison River. <br />Average annual energy production would be 258,600 MWh. An annual <br />average of 350,429 acre-feet of water above and beyond existin<;J <br />irrigation diversions would be diverted from the Gunnison River <br />and average flows downstream from the Gunnison Tunnel,would be <br />approximatelY 619 cfs. <br /> <br />IV. SIGNIFICANT ISSUES <br /> <br />significant issues involved with the Facility include: the <br />impacts caused by reduced flows in the Gunnison River and by <br />altered flows in the Uncompahgre River; impacts on wetlands; <br />economic gains to local communities; and impacts on endan,gered <br />species. The primary issues are: <br /> <br />. The effect of Gunnison River diversions on the BLCA, <br />including the wilderness area within BLCA. <br />The effect of diversions on the potential designation of <br />the Gunnison River under the wild and Scenic Rivers Act <br />and the effects of river changes on possible legislation <br />to designate the BLCA as a National Park. <br />The effect on the morphology of the Gunnison River channel <br />and on water quality within the Gunnison River, <br />particularly temperature and sediment. , <br />The effect of diversions on riparian vegetation <br />maintehance and encroachment along the Gunnison River. <br />. The effect of diversions on the Gunnison River's Gold <br />Medal fishery. <br />. The effect of diversions on recreation, particularly <br />fishing and rafting, along the Gunnison River. <br />The effect of diversions on resources and management of <br />BLM landS along the Gunnison Gorge below the BLCA. <br />. The effect of increased flows in the Uncompahgre River on <br />bank erosion and wetlands. Included are the effects of <br />necessary strearnbank stabilization efforts. <br />. The effect of reduced flows in the Uncompahgre River <br />through the city of Montrose. <br />. The effect of penstock construction on endangered plant <br />species. . <br />. Theef~ect of foregoing increased tax revenues to local <br />and state entities and of foregoing increased revenues to <br />the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association if the <br />Facility is not constructed. <br /> <br />1 <br />, <br />)' <br /> <br />V. COMMENTS RECEIVED ON FEIS <br /> <br />Comments and recommendations on the FEIS were received from <br />individuals, organizations, and government agencies. <br />Approximately .135 letters of support were received for the <br />Facility from the local area. These letters generally cited <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />,',-" <br /> <br /> <br />" ;!, - .~ <br />