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" (\.. -' , :1 o.J _ .: ,~IJ . . minimal salinity increase. However, the other projects would divert flows From the Gunnison River into the South Canal, which includes about 26,000 feet of unlined section. Thus, the competing projects have over ten times the opportunity to increase the salinity of the water. Additionally, the increased exposure to unlined canal sections will result in a greater degradation of overall water quality. This will come from the algal growth which occurs in the unlined canal sections, as well as from the add it i on of suspended so 1 ids deri ved from bed and bank erosion. The increased exposure to unlined sections will also have the impact of increasing the consumptive water use of the project. This ...ill occur due to increased evaporation from the exposed water surface of the South Canal, as well as increased <eepage through the unlined canal banks. 2. The AB Lateral project proposes the new construction of less than three-quarters of a mi 1e of new transmission line, whereas the competing projects propose the construction of approximately nine mi les of new line. The additional construction is significnt in that it offers the opportunity for increased imp.cts to the raptors of the region. Raptor proofing wi 11 only decrease the chance of raptor electrocutions: it wi 11 not el iminate it. Thus, in an area in which the bald eagle, an endangered species, is known to frequent, raptor impacts are significant. 3. The AS Lateral project wi 11 result in enhanced fishery benefits to the region, Because this proiect proposes to divert flows out of the South Canal, it wi 11 allow the continued 'use of the South Canal during the irrigation season as a fishery resource. Although this resource is IS-i5