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<br />I." <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />00 "l53. Environmentiil; riparian wetlands and plajns ecosystems <br /> <br />The ecology of the vicinity of a large ditch is influen~ed by the quantity and quality of water, and <br />variability in supply. Water use influences the soil, J>lant, and microclimate characteristics of the <br />land. Irrigated lands and related hedgerows, wetlands, and reservoirs create important ecosystems <br />for the eastern plains. Also derived from the environment are recreation uses and aesthetic beauty, <br />with attendant economic and social benefits. <br /> <br />Regional environmental issues include: dryland habitat impacts, including hedgerows and drainage <br />corridors; wetland habitat impacts, including wetlands arising from ditch and lateral seepage, <br />, <br />surface waste flows and drains, outcrops of undergro\!nd return flows, tail water ponds, and return <br />flow fed stock ponds; open water areas, including ne~ting, resting, and forage habitat for local and <br />migratory waterfowl; possible influences upon enda~gered species habitat. <br /> <br />Recreation issues include: scenic and aesthetically pleasing areas which revert to semi-arid range <br />lands or weedy, abandoned appearing areas; loss of cottonwoods and potential planting of <br />replacement trees; land and water based hunting; recreational fishing; swimming and boating. <br /> <br />Dryup of irrigated lands remains a significant issue: rbvegetation of dried up lands is difficult and <br />special plant strains and cultivation techniques mayi be necessary. Over a large dried up area <br />characterized by a variety of soil and drainage type$, successful revegetation either by natural <br />succession or by intensive husbandry, depends ort multiple agronomic factors. A realistic <br />revegetation program consists of adequate allowance for costs, appropriate time period for the <br />revegetation process, and designation of who will determine adequacy of the effort. <br /> <br />At certain levels of water-borne constituents, agricultural production begins to decline. Agricultural <br />use both disposes of pollutants, adds new pollutapts, and concentrates naturally occurring <br />pollutants. The downstream riparian systems receiv~ the upstream irrigator's wastes, although <br />sometimes after substantial time delays. A water tr~nsfer changes the historical movement of <br />pollutants. These environmental issues will undoubtedly receive greater attention in future water <br />transfers due to future changes in federal and state ertvironmental regulations and administrative <br />policy. <br /> <br />C. Issues for the State of Colorado <br /> <br />1. Administra~on <br />i <br />The Division Engineer and his water commissioners ar~ required to respond quickly to changes in <br />flow due to natural or human causes, e.g., thunderstorms, foregoing of diversions. Flows change <br />daily on the Arkansas River and a loss of a day's water to some ditches can amount to as much as <br />2000 acre feet or more. The natural stream system and the administration system is very sensitive <br />to changes which occur due to water transfers. Transfers increase the importance of accurate <br />measurement and administration of the river to assur~ non-injury to water supplies. Technology <br />such as satellite monitoring and better gauges becom~ more important. <br />i <br />i <br />! <br /> <br />2-10 <br />