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r ~l'l''''' " 3D:':.J0tJ Alternatives, Including Proposed Action 2- 1.6 {~ The irrigation needs for the Selig, Ironstone, East, and Garnet Canals would be met with water that has passed through the powerplant. The West Canal would continue to be supplied by the South Canal. The present diversions from the Tunnel and South Canal to the Fairview Reservoir (a muncipal water supply reservoir east of Montrose) would also continue. These diversions would always be met before hydropower needs, as would the existing water exchange under the Dallas Creek project. 2.3.2 Specific Considerations The amount of Gunnison River water used to generate hydroelectric power would vary for each alternative according to the plant capacity and the stipulated in-stream flow. The flows available for generating hydropower have been estimated by means of a computerized model of the regional water system. The period of study used for the model, 1952 through 1996, included several dry and wet years as well as average flow periods, The specific water supply considerations for the various alternatives are included in Table 2-1. The model is described in Chapter 3. 2.4 Environmental Commitments The proposed action would have environmental consequences that would need to be addressed. Therefore, the Sponsors have included a number of environmental commitments as part of facility development and operation. An environmental commitment plan, to be prepared by Reclamation, would contain all of the commitments, together with additional measures included in project permits. The Sponsors would comply with Reclamation's plan through project design, construction, and operation. To ensure compliance, the environmental commitments would also be included in the lease of power privilege. The commitments are summarized below. 2.4.1 Gunnison River During operation of the power facility, minimum flow requirements would be met in the Gunnison River. That is, the proposed action would not divert Gunnison River water to the extent that river flows below the Tunnel are less than 300 cfs. The existing USGS gauge immediately downstream of the Tunnel would be used to ensure this commitment. Reclamation has operated the Aspinall Unit reservoirs to provide high, "flushing" flows during the spring for purposes of ecosystem management in the Gunnison Gorge and downstream canyon reaches. The proposed Project would have no significant effect on those flows, as stipulated in the Record of Decision (US Department ofInterior, 1991). The hydropower water right is junior to the 1933 Federal reserved water right for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. That right is currently unquantified. The -'i 'e; AS Lateral Hydropower Project July 2000 ,f } i "'Jl t ;:: ~- ~- ;-~~~: -'",-