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<br />CHAPTER 1 - INI'RODUCTION <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />PUI;pose and Need <br /> <br />This final environmental assessment (EA) discusses two related actions proposed to assist in the <br />recovery of two Federally-listed endangered fish species. The actions are intended to restore <br />use of historic and designated critical habitat of the Gunnison River by the Colorado squawfish <br />and razorback sucker. The proposed actions are to: <br /> <br />. construct and operate a fish passageway around the Redlands Diversion Dam; and <br />. execute an interim (short-tenn) memorandum of agreement (water agreement) to supply <br />streamflows needed to operate the passageway and maintain downstream fish habitat and <br />access for fish to the passageway. <br /> <br />The EA is prepared jointly by the Bureau of Reclamation (ReClamation) and the Fish and <br />Wildlife Service (Service) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) <br />of 1969 (Public Law 91-190), the Endangered Species Act, and related Department of Interior <br />policies and regulations. <br /> <br />A need has been identified to allow endangered fish species to move upstream past the Redlands <br />Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River so they can complete their life cycle and establish self- <br />sustaining populations. In meeting this need, the following pUIposes and objectives are <br />considered: <br /> <br />. flexibility to study effectiveness of the passageway and river flows; <br />. maintenance of adequate flows to operate a fish passageway and to allow native fish <br />movement in the lower Gunnison River below the Redlands Diversion Dam; <br />. protection of the pUIposes of the Redlands Diversion Dam; <br />. prevention of non-native fish from moving upstream past the Redlands Diversion Dam; and <br />. protection of existing water rights and uses. <br /> <br />The intent of this EA is to describe the impacts related to the passageway and interim water <br />agreement which are required under the Colorado River Recovery Program (discussed later)' <br />which will assist in the recovery of two Federally-listed endangered species while allowing water <br />use and development to continue. The specific actions are intended to restore use of historic and <br />designated critical habitat by the Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker in the Gunnison <br />River. Chapter 2 of the report describes the proposed actions, Chapter 3 describes existing <br />conditions and impacts, and Chapter 4 discusses public involvement and environmental scoping <br />for the proposals. <br /> <br />Once required flows have been identified and passageway effectiveness has been monitored, it <br />is expected that a long-tenn water supply contract will be negotiated that will replace the interim <br /> <br />1 <br />