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<br />3.5 Streambank Stabilization Plan <br /> <br />The extent and severity of eroding streambank:s will be further evaluated through monitoring <br />within the MA. Based on the results of the monitoring and evaluation, certain destabilized <br />streambank:s that are not correcting themselves naturally will be stabilized. Methods to <br />accomplish this include the stream channel being reshaped, natural revetment being installed, <br />and/or individual stream-side plantings made to stabilize bank: erosion and restore <br />wetland/riparian habitat. Revetment will include the use of tree logs, courier logs, boulders <br />and/or similar materials. Native tree and shrub species (primarily cottonwoods and willows) will <br />be planted to re-establish stabilizing root-mass and overhanging bank: conditions for fish habitat. <br />Based on the 2001 studies completed by Frontier, a total of approximately 1,500 linear feet of <br />streambank:s may need to be treated involving seven different locations. <br /> <br />3.6 Stream ChannellFloodplain Restoration Plan <br /> <br />The La Plata River on the southern Huntington Ranch parcel downstream of Long Hollow has <br />undergone significant changes due to human actions of channel straightening and relocation, <br />bank: modification, and levee construction. Similarly, wetland/riparian habitat on other <br />properties in this area have also been impacted. As a result ofthese river and floodplain <br />modifications, a substantial acreage of wetland/riparian habitats have been either lost or <br />significantly degraded within the vicinity of the southern parcel of the MA. However, because of <br />these substantial changes, this part of the river corridor has the greatest potential for improving <br />the overall condition of the wetland/riparian ecosystem through the implementation of river <br />channel and floodplain restoration measures. <br /> <br />Reclamation will initiate restoration of the channel /floodplain within this area, and will work <br />with adjoining landowners to seek acquisition of conservation easements or ownership for <br />restoration purposes, thus enabling Reclamation to restore the entire reach of impacted floodplain <br />below Long Hollow in the MA. Restoration would entail eliminating the levees, re-establishing <br />a sinuous river channel, and re-establishing river/floodplain interactions to restore the river's <br />zone-of-influence. The channel would be integrated into a newly constructed floodplain, <br />allowing overflow onto the floodplain to occur on a relatively frequent basis. Overbank: <br />discharge onto the floodplain would allow energy dissipation of high flows thereby preventing <br />channel degradation, and would also restore conditions for the recruitment and maintenance of <br />native wetland/riparian plant communities. Revegetation of this area with native species would <br />be undertaken as part of the restoration process. <br /> <br />A conceptual plan for stream channel/floodplain restoration work within the MA was developed <br />previously by Reclamation inl997.Based on additional studies completed in 2001 (by Frontier <br />Corporation, Logan, UT) for the southern parcel, it is anticipated that, at a minimum, <br />approximately 2,700 feet of river channel and 20 acres of wetland/riparian habitats could be <br />restored within the southern parcel of the MA. The acreage of restored habitat could be <br /> <br />-39- <br />