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<br />000756 <br /> <br />resources. Incremental cumulative impacts associated with the implementation of the Morrow <br />Point Trash Rack Cleaning Project are anticipated to be short-term aod too smaIl to measure. <br /> <br />Summary and Environmental Commitments <br /> <br />In summary, the primary effect of the proposed action would be to remove trash and debris from <br />the Morrow Point Power Plant intake trash racks, The project is designed and would be <br />implemented to avoid or reduce impacts or harm to recreation, fish and wildlife resources, and <br />water quality. There would be no effect on water rights, water uses, or water supplies. <br /> <br />, The following environmental and social/economic commitments are included in the project plan, <br /> <br />. The reservoir draw down would begin in August 2002 with a target date of September 4,2002 <br />to reach a reservoir water surface elevation of 7,129 ft. <br /> <br />. The reservoir draw down would occur at a rate not to exceed I to 3 ft./day. Landslide <br />movements during the trash rack cleaning project would be monitored using survey <br />equipmenl and visual observations, At a minimum, landslides would be surveyed at least <br />once during the reservoir draw down between elevations 7,141 and 7,129 ft., and again at <br />7,129 ft. Landslide movements would be evaluated by Reclamation to determine if changes <br />in draw down rates are needed or if the draw down should continue. <br /> <br />. Water quality monitoring at Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs, and downstream of Crystal <br />Dam would be conducted during the trash rack cleaning project (including reservoir draw down <br />and refill). Reclamation would coordinate water quality monitoring activities with the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife and Trout Unlimited, Rates of draw down and refill would be in response to <br />the results of water quality measurements and landslide monitoring, ' <br /> <br />. Releases from Blue Mesa Dam during the reservoir draw down and refill would be adjusted by <br />Reclamation to control Morrow Point Reservoir's elevation and to reduce the amount of exposed <br />sediment picked up and transported downstream. Adjustments in releases from Blue Mesa and <br />Morrow Point Dams would also be made as needed to protect water quality dow'nstream of <br />Crystal Reservoir, <br /> <br />. Morrow Point Reservoir may be closed to the public from September 4'h to October 1st as a <br />safety precaution and to protect resources. <br /> <br />. Trash and debris removed from the Morrow Point Power Plant inlet trash racks would be <br />disposed of off-site at a location approved by the National Park Service or at an existing <br />permitted landfill, depending on the material removed. <br /> <br />. Replacement power would be purchased as needed to offset power generation losses during the <br />trash rack cleaning project. <br /> <br />20 <br />