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SUMMARY (Continued) Vegetation and wildlife Short-term impacts would include the temporary loss of some vegeta- tion during constructi.on until disturbed. areas are revegetated. T..ong- term impacts would result from a r"duced quantity and quality of hahitat for some wildlife species and a gain in other hahitat for other species. Losses in the dryland cover types would primarily result from the expan- sion of the urban community, such as housing and businesses, and would occur with or without the proposed modifications. Cottonwood trees provide habitat to a numher of birds and mammals. llald eagles are known to use these trees for nesting. During construction activlties, cottonwood trees would be avoided to the extent practical, and any large raptor nest would receive special consideration and be reported to the envi rOllmental officer. The vegetation analysis was performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service using a habitat prediction model to assess the baseline habitat quality and the impacts to wildlife and to quantify the mitigation needs associated with project modifications. Of the 379 acres of wetland habitat in the drainage dependent on lateral seepage, 89 acres would be lost because of the project modifications. With the development of 75 acres of wetland area, there would be a net project loss of 14 acres of wetland. All wildlife habitat losses would be compensated with the pro- posed mitigation measures. llecause of a smooth, hard surface, the two concrete-lined sections of the Towaoc Canal totaling 4.6 miles would present a threat to the existing deer ?ond elk through entrapment and eventual drowning. Mitigation for this potential loss would be accomplished by one or more of the following: fencing; constructing escape structures within the concrete-lined sections of the canal; and/or installing crossover ramps over the canal. Construction activities may temporarily disturb resident deer and elk herds, but no long-term impacts are anticipated. Flood plains and wetlands The project modifications would not affect the existing flood plains under the provisions of Executive Order 11988, Floodplain :-!anagement, be- cause of the design of the features and the minimal amount of water in- volved. In accordance with the Wetlands Protection Act, Executive Order 11990, Reclamation examined various alternatives to reduce salinity and considered thelr impacts on wetlands. No viable alternative to the project modifications would accomplish the objectives of the salinity program. The project modifications accomplish the environmental task of salinity control under existing laws. Reclamation, based on coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Colorado Division of Wiidlife, would develop replacement wetlands. Reclamation would provide funds from the salinity S-11