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<br /> <br />__ _ r. '\ \> t:: <br />,:~,' /' ,} -,' ...j <br /> <br />than the proposed development of a contract, a decision could be made to abandon this effort <br />in favor or pursuing one of these alternatives, <br /> <br />. Meet Black Canyon needs by developing the Union Park Project and passing required <br />flows from its decree (200 cfs May I-September 30, 50 cfs October I-April 30) <br />. Protect endarigered fish through Federal purchase or condemnation of water rights <br />. Augment supplies to help both endarigered fish, provide lower basin growth needs, and . <br />protect development of Colorado's Compact entitlement, by P\lmping groundwater into <br />the Gunnison Basin from the San Luis Valley for sale to lower basin customers <br />. Construct the Colorado Aqueduct Return Project (CARP) to develop and use Colorado's <br />Compact entitlement and provide water for endarigered fish <br /> <br />Items 7 through 10 previously discussed some major factors to consider when articulating <br />"contract" alternatives, Other comments will also help us define alternatiVes, One suggestion <br />was to conduct studies to detennine optimul!l flows for various environmental and ,economic <br />values, and then group values with "similar optimum flows" together (e.g, optimize flows for <br />endangered fish, riparian vegetation, campsite restoration, and sediment transport might be <br />grouped together to define one alternative). This respondent also thought selection of' <br />alternatives should be "goal-driven." Others indicated that operational management targets <br />should be used (more stability, less fluctuation at Blue Mesa, higher target level in winter), <br />Some respondents also felt that alternatives should be described by including draft, contract <br />language. <br /> <br />Suggestions relating to contract alternatives included: <br /> <br />. Leave as much water in the river as possible <br />. Provide fluc~ating flows which exceed the 300 cfs instream water right <br />. Meet Black Canyon needs by using habitat improvements (such as channel improvements, <br />habitat modifications, and fish stocking) , <br />. Provide for more stability and less fluctuation at Blue Mesa, including higher target level <br />in winter <br />. Develop a contract which addresses Black Canyon needs as well as the need to preserve' <br />historic benefits received by the Upper Gunnison Basin, including protection from <br />curtailment by downstream calls <br />. Restrict the 'quantity of water to be released under the Contract to an amount which <br />would provide significant protection to the Gunnison, yet allow AB Lateral Project to be <br />developed. Such an alternative might provide a 300 cfs minimum flow and set-up a <br />schedule to periodically flush the Gunnison bed (perhaps 2,000 cfs for 2 weeks every 3 <br />to 5 years). Winter releases would need to be set at 1,250 cfs, and the discretion of the <br />NPS could be used to schedule other releases, subject to other rights; <br /> <br />Fonnulation of concise alternatives needs to involve many potentially affected parties. and the. <br />scope of alternatives needs to be detennined early. Alternatives must not conflict with <br />legislation or legislative intent for managing projects or resources. Data collection and analysis, <br /> <br />23 <br /> <br />'2__'~-'-~ <br /> <br />,>:,"~- <br />