WSP08608

• File Number: 8273.600
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - USDA
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/18/1992
• Title: Monitoring and Evaluation - Wildlife Report - Fiscal Year 1991
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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D. ADDITIONAL ~UATIONS:

The draft Colorado SCS Wetland Evaluation Procedures is
being used to track changes in wetland habitat quality due
to project implementation. This evaluation generates a
numerical value from zero to one (zero being low in value,
one being highest in value) which represents the relational
integration of functional and habitat characteristics of a
particular wetland. Table 4 in the appendix reflects the
changes in wetland values by type.

B. TRACKING:

A tracking system data base has been developed to record
cover types, wetland types and values, HSI's, HOV's and
contracted wildlife mitigation practices by contract. A
summary table (for 1990 and 1991) of each category, as. well
as a narrative, can be found in the appendix section.

1'. I'IELD DATA:

During the 1990 and 1991 field seasons, 38 CRSC
contracts were cover type.mapped, habitat data was collected
and HSI evaluations made. To date this is expected on all
contracts for existing, planned and applied conditions. A
comparison may then. be made (once the contract has expired
and all salinity control practices have been implemented) to
show any habitat changes. As stated above, appendix A
reflects a comparison of baseline information with
anticipated planned conditions.

G. MONITORING PLAN:

Initially the McElmo Creek EIS planned for 15 CRSC
contracted operating units to be selected each year for 3
years (for a total of 45 units) for monitoring habitat
changes. These would then be evaluated at 3 year intervals
for the life of the program. only 9 units were contracted
during the first year, so this goal will take longer to
achieve. To date 24 units have been selected for
monitoring. As it stands we are tracking all changes on
every contract which duplicates operating unit monitoring.
Baseline data is available in tables 4,6,8 and 10.
Beginning with the 1992 field season, we will start
observing and recording actual (applied condition) changes.