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<br />APPENDIX B <br /> <br />SUMMARY OF DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT <br />FOR FURNISHING WATER FOR ENDANGERED FISH <br /> <br />The Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement) would be among the Bureau of Reclamation, the <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), and the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The <br />proposed alternative for the agreement is described in Chapter 2 of this EA and provides water <br />from Aspinall Unit storage for endangered fish and protection of water users who presently use <br />water from the operation of the Aspinall Unit. Major points of the agreement are: <br /> <br />. Agreement shall remain in effect for no more than 5 years or until the conclusion of the <br />Section 7 consultation (endangered species consultation) on the Aspinall Unit. <br /> <br />. The agreement may be renewed up to an additional 5 years upon agreement of signatory <br />parties. <br /> <br />. During July through October, Reclamation will release, from the Aspinall Unit, sufficient <br />water to maintain a minimum flow of 300 cfs in the Gunnison River from the Redlands <br />Diversion Dam to the confluence with the Colorado River. <br /> <br />. During the Aspinall Unit operation meetings held each year in January, April, and August; <br />Reclamation would develop an operating plan and water release schedule that attempts to <br />satisfy the needs of downstream Gunnison River main stem water users senior in priority to <br />the Aspinall Unit decrees. Dependent upon current hydrologic conditions and the available <br />water supply, Reclamation would implement an operating plan which reduces the potential <br />for administrative calls by these senior water rights when making releases for endangered <br />fish. If an operating plan cannot be implemented which reduces the potential for <br />administrative calls, then the parties to the agreement may reduce the 300 cfs fish release in <br />order to minimize administrative calls. <br /> <br />. Releases shall not result in water bypassing the Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal <br />powerplants. <br /> <br />. The agreement shall not interfere with historic operations of the Aspinall Unit, including <br />those authorized in the Colorado River Storage Project Act, the 1975 Exchange Agreement <br />for Taylor Park Reservoir, the 1990 Taylor Park Agreement, or the 300 cfs minimum <br />Aspinall Unit release through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. <br /> <br />. The CWCB will-be- responsible for calling the State Engineer for delivery of Aspinall <br />releases for endangered fish species and for protection of those releases. The CWCB will <br />take such action under state law; releases will be subject to such transit losses as may be <br />imposed by the State Engineer. <br /> <br />B-1 <br />