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<br />001529 <br /> <br />r.~ <br /><~ , ' ,. '~'.' <br />_____7 l';~""<<.'- '~'1d) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />BUREAU OF RECLAMATION <br /> <br />Upper Colorado Region <br />Western Colorado Area Office <br /> <br />Northern Division <br />2764 Compass Drive <br />Grand Junction CO 81506-8785 <br /> <br />Southern Division <br />835 E 2nd Avenue <br />PO Box 640 <br />Durango CO 81302-0640 <br /> <br />WCN-KFogelquist <br />ENV-6.00 <br /> <br />APR 3 0 1999 <br /> <br />To: <br /> <br />Interested Individuals, Organizations, and Agencies <br /> <br />Subject: <br /> <br />Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Providing Fish Passage at the Price-Stubb <br />Diversion Dam on the Colorado River in Mesa County, Colorado <br /> <br />Enclosed for your review and comment is the subject EA. Fish passage at this dam would restore access to <br />historic upstream habitat for the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. Upstream <br />access has been blocked since 1911, when the Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts built the dam <br />to divert irrigation water. The fish passage project is a cooperative effort of Reclamation and the Upper <br />Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, <br /> <br />Fish passage alternatives include partially removing the dam or constructing a fish ladder around the dam. <br />Reclamation's preferred alternative is dam removal. Removal could affect the Ute Water Conservancy <br />District's backup water supply that serves about 60,000 Grand Valley residents. Reclamation is working <br />with Ute on options to prevent problems. Removal also conflicts with plans to privately develop <br />hydroelectric power at the dam. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is now considering <br />an amendment to the hydropower license they issued in 1990. IfFERC approves the amendment, <br />Reclamation would build a fish ladder around the dam, unless the developer decides to surrender his <br />license. Other concerns discussed in the EA include impacts to recreational boating, public safety, an <br />existing landslide, riverbed erosion, water rights, dam and landownership, downstream water quality, <br />historic qualities of the dam, and cost to taxpayers, <br /> <br />Your comments are needed to help us address all concerns when we finalize the EA. To be considered in <br />our decision-making process, comments should be submitted by June 15, 1999, to: Bureau of <br />Reclamation, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506; FAX 970-248-0601; or <br />via e-mail to fish-passage@uc.usbr.gov, The EA is also posted on Reclamation's Internet web site at <br />www.uc.usbr.gov. <br /> <br />If you have questions, please call Bob Norman at 970-248-0634. <br /> <br />~~ <br /> <br />RECEIVED <br />MAY 0 3 1999 <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Carol DeAngelis <br />Area Manager <br /> <br />c Colorado Water <br />-onservation Board <br /> <br />Enclosure <br />