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<br /> <br />c. Proposed Project <br /> <br />'The initial project proposed developing a, water delivery contract for the Aspinall Unit to <br />, ,provide a 10\1g-term water supply to the Black Canyon to protect its water-related resources. <br />As a result of scoping, the project has expand~ to provide similar protection to the <br />Gunnison Gorge and downstream endangered fish habitat. Theeontract would establish a <br />, , process to determine and guarantee the quantify of water whicl;1 the Aspinall Unit can deliver <br />annually to the Black Canyon, Gunnison Gorge and endangered fish habitat and for, ' <br />consumptive uses above and below the Aspinall Unit. It would also set forth guidelines' , <br />, regarding the manner in which the releases are made, . 'Alternatives and environmental <br />impacts will be determined, evaluated, and documented in compliance with National <br />Environmental Policy 'Act (NBPA) requirements throughout negotiations and prior to <br />execution of the contract., , <br /> <br />D. Goals of the, Proposed Contract <br /> <br />With construction of the Aspinall Unit in the 1960;sand 1970's,: releases of water from the <br />Aspinall Unit (except those diverted through the intervening GtlrinisonTunnel) flow through <br />and affect the nature and functions of the Gunnison River withinf the Black Canyon and the ' <br />Gunnison, Gorge. In preparing for the NPS to quantify the Black Canyon's reserved water <br />right, it became apparent that cooperation and support of many affected.agencies would be <br />necessary to perfect the right, and that other issues affecting the 'agencies needed to be <br />resolved. This cooperative effort between Federal, State, and lOCal agencies is needed to <br />provide a balanced water resource management plan that will I) protect the wateHelat~ , <br />resources of the Black Canyon and lead to quantification of its federal reserved water right, <br />2) fulml Federal responsibilities tinder the Endangered Species J\ct to assist in the recovery . <br />of endangered fish species of the Upper Colorado River Basin, and 3) determine the <br />availability of water stored in Blue Mesa:Reservoirforuse by the people of Colorado. The <br />goals ,of the contract are to provide equitably for ,the long-term protection Of: ' . <br /> <br />-Aspinall Unit water storage pUlposes; <br />-pUlposes and resources of the Black Canyon, Gunnison <;Jorge, and Curecanti; <br />-Colorado's ability to develop Water apportioned to it under interstate compacts and <br />its share of Aspinall Unit storage; , <br />-downstream endangered fish species; and <br />-existing use,s in the Gunnison Basin under Colorado water law. <br /> <br />The lead agencies(BOR and NPS) need to develop statements to identify the purpose of and <br />need for the proposed ,contract. ,These statements should'reflect the results of this scoping <br />effort, and will guide NEPAand contract development activities,by all cooperatmgagencies <br />and the interested public. ' <br /> <br />4 <br />