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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 2 r. 6 ~ ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES J .1 ARKANSAS BASIN FlITURE WATER AND STORAGE NEEDS ASSESSMENT ENTERPRISE Environmental Resource Issues Natural resource issues considered in this evaluation include: Wetlands Threatened and Endangered Species Other State or Forest Service Sensitive Species Wildlife Aquatic Life The potential adverse and beneficial effects are addressed for each resource category. Opportunities to mitigate adverse effects also are identified. Criteria for Analysis The purpose of this reconnaissance level environmental review is to preliminarily identify significant environmental issues or fatal flaws that may affect the feasibility of project alternatives. Criteria used to determine the potential significance of environmental issues include: Adverse impacts to federal threatened or endangered species. Adverse impacts to Forest Service or other state sensitive species that could lead to a federal listing. Adverse impacts to large areas of valuable wetland resources. The loss of important wildlife habitat. The loss of native or unique plant communities. Adverse impacts to aquatic resources. Ability to meet regulatory requirements under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CW A), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This study is not intended as a detailed environmental analysis, baseline, or impact assessment suitable for permitting and/or compliance with environmental laws or regulations. Additional detailed studies and field investigations would be necessary to more accurately determine the extent of environmental impacts. Information from this study and other engineering and hydrologic analyses will help provide a basis for comparing the feasibility of the alternative water development projects being evaluated. 2