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This Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates effects on the human environment for the proposed lowering of the water surface elevation at Morrow Point Reservoir and cleaning of the power plant intake trash racks located in Montrose County, Colorado. The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposed to accomplish required facilities maintenance by lowering the water surface elevation of Morrow Point Reservoir, on the gunnison River in western Colorado, and cleaning the power plant intake trash racks. The controlled draw down would begin in August with a target date of September 4, 2002 to reach a water surface elevation of 7,129 feet. This would result in a Morrow Point Reservoir refill start date between September 9, 2002 and September 19, 2002.

Reclamation prepared this EA in cooperation with other federal and state agencies to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act, and related U.S. Department of the Interior policies and regulations.