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Transfer ownership of McPhee Dam Powerplant to DWCD in return for DWCD providing larger downstream releases - McPhee Dam Powerplant has two turbines and is designed to operate year-round on the downstream fishery releases of 20, 50. and 78 cfs. The powerplant would produce an average of 7,170,000 kwh annually. However, Reclamation and DWCD are negotiating a long-teno operating agreement to change the downstream release criteria from the 20-50-78 cfs releases to an annual fixed pool of water available for release. This change could effect the powerplant operation and generating capabilities. If DWCD received power revenues from the powerplant, they may agree to increase downstream releases, especially during wet years. However, this alternative could provide an financial benefit to DWCD with no assurance. of increased downstream releases. This alternative could reduce Colorado River Storage Project revenues and would require Congressional authorization. STRUCTURAL AOUATIC HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS: Provide Structural Habitat Improvements for Enbancement of tbe Fisbery Downstream to Bradfield Bridge - This alternative would make structural habitat improvements in the Dolores River to ameliorate water temperature fluctUations and to create additional habitat diversity, wbich may increase the river's fish carrying capacity. The USFS and CDOW have installed such modifications in the past, mostly within the first five miles downstream from McPhee Dam. This alternative could provide some fishery benefits, but it is unlikely that such modifications would improve water temperarures significantly enough to maintain the fishery if releases were reduced to 20 cfs in the future. At this time, Reclamation believes that this alternative is not a substitute for modifying operation of the reservoir or acquiring additional water for a managed pool. ACOmSITION OF ADDITIONAL WATER: Establish fish and wildlife managed paol larger than 36,500 AF: 108.600 AF Dool - The volume of water needed in a fish and wildlife pool to "optimize" the fishery has been estimated by some biologists to be approximately 108,600 AF (or year-round flows of 150 cfs) (BLM 1990). The difference between this volume and the minimum volume of water in the fish and wildlife managed pool described in Alternative I (33,200 AF) is 75,400 AF. This quantity of water is not available for acquisition. 56,000 AF Dool - The volume of water recommended by the BLM to protect the fishery (p.88, Dolores River Instream Flow Assessment) is 56,000 AF, or approximately 78 cfs annually. The volume of water (22,800 AF) needed to establish a managed pool of this size is not available for acquisition. 38,700 AF Dool - Minimum flows recommended by the Dolores River Biology Team (October 25, 1993), made up of biologists representing the CDOW, the BLM, Reclamation, the USF&WS, and the USFS, were 50 cfs during the spring (April and May) and fall (September and October), 40 cfs during winter (November-March) and 80 cfs during the summer months (June, July and August). These releases would require a managed pool of about 38,700 AF. This volume would likely be achieved by Increment 1lI of the Proposed Action Alternative and does not merit separate consideration. Purchase MVIC Shares from private ownership - MVIC is not allowed to sell shares to the United States under the bylaws of the company. This action would require a change of water right be granted by the District Court and changing the use and the point of diversion of the water. Only the ponion of water historically consumptively used could be transferred for downstream release, Reassign unused M & I water allocated to Cortez and Dove Creek until a need for this water develops _ This alternative would provide only a temporary solution, would reduce DWeD revenues and increase cost to other water users. This action would require clarification of Principle No. 6.4 of the Department of rnterior's "Principles Governing ,Voluntary Water Transactions That Involve or Affect Facilities Owned or 19