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nt'": 5~7 ..j,,)_ "J Alternatives. Including Proposed Action 2- t7 hydropower project would honor the Federal reserved right at whatever level it is ultimately adjudicated (see Section 2.5.3). Year-round operation of the Tunnel could lead to additional fish loss from the Gunnison River through the Tunnel. Therefore, a fish barrier, consisting of a steel rack with bars spaced to limit loss of adult trout, would be constructed where the AB Lateral diverts water from the South Canal. Fish passing through the Tunnel during the irrigation season could be guided to the South Canal and ultimately to the Uncompahgre River. The Sponsors would coordinate with Reclamation and the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CD OW) for periodic flushing of the pool created in the South Canal during the nonirrigation season to avoid impacts to water quality and fisheries. Tunnel maintenance would continue to be coordinated with Crystal Dam operations to minimize Gunnison River fluctuations. The Sponsors would develop an operation plan prior to construction. This plan would require Reclamation approval and would include specific ramping rates for water flows used for hydropower. Project-related diversions would be conducted to avoid sudden surges or rapid changes of flow to downstream reaches. 2.4.2 Uncompahgre River Uncompahgre River flows would be monitored during floods, and Tunnel and canal diversions would be controlled to avoid contributing to a flooding hazard. If the Tunnel is diverting water in excess of UVRP irrigation demands, the UVRP would not place a call on the Uncompahgre River using its senior water rights for the West, M&D, and Loutzenhizer Canals. Development of the AB Lateral Project would affect the banks of the Uncompahgre River, and riparian wetlands. Measures planned by the Sponsors to reduce or avoid these impacts are described in the next subsections, These plans were developed through the Department of the Army permitting process, and have changed substantially from those originally proposed in the PElS. Therefore, the Sponsors' proposed stabilization plans are presented in significant detail in the following section. 2.4.3 Uncompahgre River Bank Stabilization The Sponsors will reduce and mitigate project-induced erosion throughout the operating life of the project. The Sponsors propose to mitigate the potential streambank erosion damage by means of a bank stabilization program for portions of the Uncompahgre River banks. The program would consist of installing various stabilization measures before project operation, followed by monitoring, maintenance, and replacement of the installations, as needed, during operation, AS Lateral Hydropower Project July 2000