Laserfiche WebLink
<br />SUMMARY (Continued) <br /> <br />Summary of Environmental Impacts <br /> <br />Land use <br /> <br />Trends in land use in Montezuma County would probably continue with <br />or without the project modifications. The major enterprise is cattle <br />ranching; of lesser importance is the growing of commercial fruits and <br />vegetables. Small hobby farms would replace existing farms and ranches. <br />Parts of the county, particularly along major roads, would see increased <br />urbanization. Some county bridges and roads and private farm road <br />crossings would be reconstructed. Since the lined sections of project <br />conveyance features would generally be near or on the existing <br />alignment, no significant relocations would occur. <br /> <br />Scenery <br /> <br />Over the short term, heavy equipment, increased human activity, and <br />construction scars would detract from scenery in construction areas. <br />Once construction is completed and reseeding of the disturbed areas is <br />accomplished, vegetation would reestablish itself and the affected areas <br />would look much as they do now. <br /> <br />Air and noise quality <br /> <br />The project modifications would not have long-term effects on <br />ambient air quality but would have short-term impacts during the 4-year <br />construction period. Emissions and dust from construction equipment <br />and the moving of earth and aggregate would increase particulate levels <br />and decrease air quality locally' during construction, but air quality <br />is expected to remain in the acceptable level. Dust abatement proce- <br />dures would be undertaken during construction. Noise generated by con- <br />struction equipment would be a short-term nuisance to people living near <br />the affected ditches and laterals, but measures would be instituted to <br />reduce noise levels. All of the construction activities, however, would <br />take place away from any population concentrations. <br /> <br />Water quantity and 'quality <br /> <br />The average annual salt pickup in the McElmo Creek drainage would <br />be 117,880 tons with the project modifications and 144,180 tons without <br />them, resulting in an annual reduction of 26,300 tons due to project <br />modifications plus 5,700 tons removed from outside the McElmo Creek <br />drainage for a total annual reduction of 32,000 tons. The 32,000 tons <br />consist of 24,500 tons removed as a result of salinity control features <br />and 7,500 tons that would not enter the system as a result of realigning <br />the Towaoc Canal east of Cortez. This reduction of 32,000 tons annually <br />would also result in a reduction in salinity at Imperial Dam of 2.9 <br />mg/L. <br /> <br />S-10 <br />