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<br />Q'II'C l>lQ <br />~J :) Zy 4 <br />, ,.J - . (fected Environment & Consequences <br /> <br />3-28 <br /> <br />from Delta would not be impacted by the proposed Project because the flows removed <br />from the Gunnison at the Tunnel are returned via the Uncompahgre River. <br /> <br />. State water quality standards for the Gunnison River, classified as Recreation Class 2; <br />Aquatic Life Class 1 cold water, for selenium are 10 I-lgll. Concentration would <br />remain well below this standard. <br /> <br />Accordingly, no impacts are expected to occur as a result of reduced flows increasing the <br />concentration of selenium. <br /> <br />By diverting a significant portion of irrigation flows out of the South Canal into the <br />penstock the proposed Project will reduce seepage from the east side of the Uncompahgre <br />Basin. This will have a beneficial effect on overall selenium levels downstream of the <br />Project. System improvements that the UUWUA intends to fund with project revenues <br />would have further, potentially substantial, positive effects. <br /> <br />Water supplies in the Uncompahgre River in the 12-mile reach between the South Canal <br />and Montrose would receive less high quality water from the Gunnison River during the <br />irrigation season, and thus, less dilution capability would exist. Downstream from <br />Montrose, additional Gunnison River water would be present to dilute sediments and <br />other pollutants, Salt loading to the river would be reduced by the proposed Project <br />through lining the AB Lateral and reducing flow in the South Canal. <br /> <br />3.7 <br /> <br />Fisheries <br /> <br />3.7.1 <br /> <br />Existing Conditions <br /> <br />3.7.1.1 <br /> <br />Gunnison River <br /> <br />In past years, the Gunnison River has supported an outstanding fishery. The CDOW <br />designated the 28-mile Black Canyon reach as both a wild trout fishery and Gold Medal <br />water, meaning natural reproduction sustains the fishery and that trophy fish are present. <br />Presently, brown trout continue to thrive. However, rainbow trout populations have <br />diminished, and stocking may be necessary to maintain the fishery (Sherman Hebein, CDOW, <br />personal communication, 1997), <br /> <br />The endangered Colorado pike minnow and razorback sucker occur downstream of the <br />Gunnison /Uncompahgre confluence. This reach of river is considered critical habitat. <br />Radiotagging studies of pikeminnow by the FWS have indicated occasional summer <br />usage of the Gunnison Ri ver upstream of the confluence to Hartland Dam. This reach is <br />considered occupied, though not critical habitat. Wiltzius (1978) indicated that there was <br />no evidence that endangered fish species had ever occurred in the Black Canyon of the <br />Gunnison National Monument. <br /> <br />AS Lateral Hydropower Project <br /> <br />July 2000 <br /> <br />., <br /> <br /> <br />I <br />:,' j <br />(-~ <~ <br />~::- - j; <br />,~,~~ <br /> <br />,'., <br /> <br />,_>,.~__" _ .JlF';_:i:.-;t.,i-;-~, <br />