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~ Y~ proposal to flush lilacl~ t~anyon <br />causes fears. of severe flooding in `Delta' <br />By Pat Sunderland endangered species needs. ~ leaves the banks in Delta. In 1993 and "While we want to help you affirm <br />Alanapinp Ed~lar How (hose prionties will be balanced 1995, flows were around ti,000 cfs. these water rights," Sales said, "1 see a <br />Concerns that National Park Service between the Aspinall storage units and Rich Sales, City of Delta community strong preference to put very large <br />(NPS) plans to increase water flows the national monument have yet to be development director, estimates the amounts of water down the canyon dur- <br />tlirough the Black Canyon of the Gunni- worked out, Chuck Pettee of the contribution from the Gunnison Gorge ing our Flood stages." <br />son National Monument could result in National Pazk Service explained. during those times at 3,800 to 4,800 cfs: "At 12,000 cfs we start to feel <br />flooding in the Delta area were allayed "When we foCu"s on the monument's If the flows were allowed to nearly uncomfortable at the Gunnison River <br />only slightly during a meeting with city, needs, we've identified the need for triple, the results could be devastating bridge;' added Delta County Commis- <br />county and federal officials Monday, high flows of 12,000=p1u3 cfs;' he said. -'for agricultural, residential and com- sinner Jim Ventrello. "At 15,000 w~ ve <br />]an. 1 I. High flows would "Flush" the monu- mtrcial property owners, Sales said. got things underwater, <br />At an open house in December, NPS ment of sand and vegetation which have "We ere greatly concerned that the "Where are the trees, brush and sedi- <br />officials explained the process being accumulated over the years. "basic life, safety and welfare of our citi- ment being washed out of the canyon <br />used to quantify federal water rights Of great concern fo City end county zens may not be valued highly enough going to end up? We fear that they will <br />through the monument. As proposed, officials is the.NPS' Intention to flush in the National Park System's decision be packed under our bridges." <br />the proe:ess would result in co-manage- the canyon by flooding during high making process;' city end county offi- "Rest assured, when we see dai~l <br />ment of water rights between the water years. Flooding has not been pro-. ciels wrote in afollow-up letter. Bows approaching 10,000 to 12,000 cfs, <br />Aspinall storage units and the Black posed for moderate or low risk years. ~ "Flood control has been a high prior- we'll be in constant touch;' said repre- <br />Canyon of the Gunnison National Mon- Flows between 3,500 and 12,b00 cfs, ity, and we assume it will continue to be sentatives of the Bureau of Reclamation. <br />ument. when added to the Bows from th~ North in the future," Pettee assured city and Bath the city and county have <br />T'he resultant co-management would Fork of the Gunnison and Unc mpeh- county officials: "Our ultimate goal is to expressed a strong desire to remain <br />affect many priorities now held by the gre rivers during peak runoff, would amve et something all parties interested involved in the decision-making process <br />NPS, including minimum year round result in widespread Bonding. in .the river are comfortable with, as the National Park Service continues <br />Buws, Flood control, reservoir storage, In the Gunnison, al a Flow of about. ,including the City of Della and Delta to iron out the conFlict between flood <br />hydropower generation, recreation and 12,000 cubic feel per second, tf~e river County." ~ control and tutshing the canypn. <br />, <br />