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<br />", " ') .~ II [) <br />i I.", ~< ,;;J <br /> <br />contract analysis should review options for Blue Mesa storage meeting commitments made for <br />mitigation for the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects. <br /> <br />The analysis should (ietennine the impacts to any other Federally or State-listed threatened or <br />endangered species which may be present in the affected areas. Analyses should consider. , <br />impacts of changes to the reservoir levels and streamflow regimes, including impacts of changes , <br />to winter flows to food sources, such as kokanee salmon at Blue Mesa Reservoir for wintering, <br />bald eagles, and fish for river otters. <br /> <br />The contract analysis should detennine the impacts of the contract water flows on other wildlife <br />species which may be affected, This should include impacts on river otters and other furbearers, <br />migratory waterfowl, great blue herons, and birds nesting near the waters edge. The areas to <br />be considered in the study would include the Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge, and Curecanti. <br /> <br />The contract analysis should address impacts to riparian habitat and wetlands. This should <br />include studies on impacts to wildlife habitat, riparian and wetland vegetation species distribution <br />and diversity, and rriacroinvertebrates. Studies' should be conducted to identify the natural, pre- <br />impoundment, and present aquatic conditions in order to assess stream flow conditions' needed . <br />to preserve the biological integrity of Black Canyon. Consideration should be given to the <br />conditions necessary to preserve the aquatic and riparian biodiversity of the area and any <br />cumulative impacts which may impair preservation of the natural aquatic ecosystem within.the <br />Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge, and Curecanti, <br /> <br />D. Physical Processes <br /> <br />Item 16. <br /> <br />Flooding, Sedimentation, .Erosion - Address impacts on the ,physical <br />environment and processes including upstream icing and flooding, downstream <br />flooding and stream bank erosion, sedimentation and other hydrologic river <br />chanoel maintenance processes. <br /> <br />Refer to: Gunnison, Montrose and Delta meetings; Mr,Butterfield; Ms. Kiefer; the Montrose <br />County Commissioners; the Montrose Economic Development Council; Montrose Partners; the <br />Colorado MountainClub; Commissioner Corey; UGRWCD. (37 comments) <br /> <br />Many concerns were expressed about potential impacts of operating the, Aspinall Unit to make <br />contract releases on flooding, sedimentation, river channel maintenance, and streambank erosion. ' <br />Flooding was a concern both downstream and upstream of the Aspinall Unit. Gunnison, <br />Montrose, and Delta meeting participants feared that downstream floods would increase when <br />high spring releases: combine with peak flows of the North Fork, the Uncompahgre River, and <br />the Colorado River. Montrose participants identified the needto improve prediction capabilities <br />for flood protection, , The Montrose County Commissioners, the Montrose Economic <br />Development Council, and Delta meeting participants asked who would pay for damages <br />(including repair of structures between Crystal and Grand Junction) and increased liability costs <br />associated with floods. Upstream flooding concerns in Gunnison were associated with winter <br /> <br />31 <br /> <br />'-"/. <br /> <br />\', ~ <br /> <br />