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<br />A decision has been made that a full EIS is not needed for the interim water agreement and <br />consrruction of the fish passageway. As recognized in several portions of the EA., the need for <br />an ElS will be reviewed when long-tenn water contracts are developed. <br /> <br />Selenium was mentioned in the draft EA as one of the pollutants occurring in the Gunnison <br />River. Early research suggests that native fish have a higher tolerance for selenium since they <br />evolved in an environment with background levels of selenium. At the present time, there is no <br />definite answer to the potential impacts of selenium on native fish in the GU1I1Iison River. Studies <br />have been staned that will help detennine at what levels selenium can hann adult native fish or <br />reduce reproduction of the fish. <br /> <br />Fish and Wildlife <br /> <br />More information was requested on the effects of the proposals on the trout fishery of the <br />Gunnison River and on the Blue Mesa Reservoir fishery. <br /> <br />Additional iriformation has been added to the final EA, Chapter 3, in response to this request. <br /> <br />Socio-Economic Factors <br /> <br />Many written and verbal comments reflected the thought that the economic value of the Aspinall <br />Unit, and in particular the values of existing operations, need to be stressed; and the effects of <br />the proposals on these values need to be evaluated. Several comments pointed out the need to <br />expand discussions on the effect of the proposals on power generation, power users, and <br />hydropower capacity. Questions were asked about the effect of the proposal on hydropower <br />production by the Redlands Water and Power Company. A reviewer suggested hydropower <br />losses at the Aspinall Unit could be offset in a less costly manner if Redlands were to agree to <br />bypass flows to the fish and be reimbursed by Reclamation for lost power revenues. One <br />reviewer stated that the use of 148,000 acre-feet would have an economic effect since it could <br />have been sold otherwise. <br /> <br />One reviewer requested it be made clear in the EA that Reclamation and the Service do not <br />intend to prevent development of water upstream of the Aspinall Unit based on the interim <br />agreement. One reviewer asked whether effects on hydropower production would be monitored. <br /> <br />Concerning effects on hydropower production by the Redlands Water and Power Compt111J, the <br />operation and maintenance agreement has addressed the issue of power interference. If <br />operation or maintenance of the passageway affects the operation of the Redlands Diversion Dam <br />or the Power Canal and causes a loss of power revenues to the Redlands Water and Power <br />Company, the Company shall submit a bill to the responsible pany for reimbursement. <br />Reimbursement of the loss will be accomplished according to a rate schedule that is mutually <br />agreed by the Company and Reclamation and/or the Service. <br /> <br />54 <br />