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<br />1'\ r;., r;.1 (, <br />, J .' '. <br /> <br />Executive Summary <br /> <br />Purpose <br /> <br />The primary purpose of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) is <br />to evaluate the impacts that may occur on the environment from the construction <br />and operation of the AB Lateral Hydropower Project near Montrose, Colorado. <br />To implement this proposed action, a Lease of Power Privilege and a water service <br />contract from the US Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation is required. In <br />addition, a Department of the Army permit is needed. These Federal actions require <br />documentation and disclosure of environmental impacts in accordance with the National <br />Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The SEIR insures that the policies and goals defined <br />by NEPA have been considered prior to any action being taken on the Sponsors' <br />proposed action. The SEIR serves to: <br /> <br />. Provide information on the purpose of and need for providing the hydropower <br />facility. <br /> <br />. Address all reasonable alternatives considered by the Sponsors as well as others <br />identified during the scoping process and subsequent public participation programs. <br /> <br />. Describe environmental impacts associated with each proposed alternative including <br />mitigation measures intended to avoid or minimize anticipated adverse impacts. <br /> <br />The SEIR emphasizes resource areas where changes in the project plan or.changes in <br />resource information have occurred. <br /> <br />Purpose and Need for Facility <br /> <br />The purpose of the AB Lateral Hydropower Project (Project) is to economically develop <br />the potential energy of water flows from the Gunnison Tunnel to the Uncompahgre River. <br />The large difference in elevation between the West Portal of the Tunnel and the <br />Uncompahgre River creates the potential for hydropower production. <br /> <br />The need for the Project was stated in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (PElS) <br />and was based upon the following considerations: <br /> <br />. Generating electrical power, particularly within the authorization of PL 75-698. <br />. Developing a renewable resource with no air emissions. <br />. Improving operation of the existing irrigation system. <br />. Providing a revenue source for Uncompahgre Valley Water Users' Association <br />(UVWUA) capital improvements to the irrigation delivery system. <br /> <br />AB Lateral Hydropower Project <br /> <br />July 2000 <br /> <br /> <br />.~ <br />