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<br />Mr, Jorgenson commented thatthecontract analysis should also ~ddress the AB Lateral Project
<br />as II "real danger" to the river and its associated fishery and recreational uses,
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<br />b., Wildernes~ and Wild/ScenicRiver Values (6 comments)
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<br />A full range of values needs to be investigated ,in regard to tpe contract's impacts on the
<br />established wilderness in the Black Canyon, and the proposed e,Stablishment of the Gunnison
<br />Gorge Wilderness Area, , 'These should ificlude maintenance and enhancement of wilderness
<br />character, remoyl\l of signs ofhumanuse,alJd renewal of campsites, The analysis should also
<br />detetmine how the contract would affect or correlate with recommended designl\tion' of the '
<br />reaches ,of the Gunnison River as a Wild and Scenic River flowmg through the Black Canyon
<br />and the Gunnison Gorge, ',"
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<br />c. Fishery Resources (36 comments).
<br />
<br />The analysis needs todetennine impacts of the contrnctflow regime on native and sport fish
<br />'populations in the Gunnison River (including the Gold Medal Trout fishery), and in the
<br />reservoirs of the Curecartti (especially the sport fishery of Blue Mesa Reservoir), The analysis
<br />n~s to take intoconsideratio!l any possible future changes, which may be required under the
<br />Endangered Species Act, especially in regard to theimpactsofthpseactions to the Gold Medal
<br />Trout fishery, Issues to address include the size, timing, andl duration of. peakt1ows, the
<br />, ascending and descending rainp\ng offlows, effects on reproduction, survivilI flUes, habitat, and
<br />economic impacts, to the. Gold Medal Trout fishery, ' , .
<br />
<br />C. BiOlogical Resources '
<br />
<br />Item 15.
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<br />. Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife, and Habit;lt -i The aniilysis should identify
<br />impacts tomany species and their l1abitats, inchid\ng theendangeredfjsh, other
<br />threatened or endangered species in the area, and ~quatic and terrestrial species
<br />affected by changes to riparian orwetIand habitat \Uong the Gunnison River and
<br />Shorelines of the reservoirs. ' ' '
<br />
<br />Gunnison, Montrose and Delta meetings; Mr, 'Butterfield; M:r, Jorgenson;
<br />Colorado M:ountainClub;EPA; Mr, Kiefer; WA.P.A. (29 comments)
<br />
<br />As discussed in Item 6, the analysis, should determine how altered {lows through the contract will
<br />affect endangered. fish of the Colorado River and assist in their recovery . This shOuld ' include
<br />detennining necessary spring flow peaks" flow regimes throughout the year, (for low, average
<br />and high water years), habitat needs, reproductive needs for the endangered species" and other
<br />criteria deemedneces.sary by analyses required by the Endangered Species Act.
<br />
<br />Refer to:
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<br />Questions wereraisedon how the Biological Opinions on the Dolores and pallas Creek Projects
<br />would affect the array of alternatives, and how they related direqtly to the Aspinall Unit. The
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<br />30
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