WSP09435 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SUMMARY Wildlife (Page C-50 of FES) Modifications to the M&I System plan would eliminate an additional 160 acres of wildlife habitat beyond the 3,496 acres documented in the FES. Temporary disturbance of habitat would increase by about 132 acres above the previously documented 799 acres. These losses, in addition to added indirect impacts, would cause increased losses of mule deer, elk, sage grouse, and other wildlife species in the Jordanelle area. The relocation of U.S. Highway 189 and construction of the new county road, along with anticipated private land development along the highways, would create an additional barrier for migrating deer and elk. The U.S. Highway 189 relocation would also traverse sage grouse brood-rearing areas and a portion of the West Hills nesting area, resulting in a net loss of 12 acres and disturbance impacts on about 80 acres. Wildlife Losses . Approximately 66 percent of the mule deer losses would result from barrier effects created by the new reservoir, inundation of 100 acres of severe winter range, and reservoir crossing fatalities (drowning or ice injuries). The remaining 34 percent of the losses would result from the barrier effects of the highway relocations accompanied by increased highway mortalities (road kills). Since the 1979 FES, an elk herd of about 30 animals has become established in the West Hills located west of Kamas, Utah. Elk losses, including an occasional road kill, would result entirely from the bar- rier effect from the relocation of U.S. Highway 189. Mitigation for elk would also be accomplished through the Wildlife Mitigation Plan. About 37 percent of the sage grouse losses would be caused by inun- dation of 110 acres of breeding and nesting habitat. The remainder (63 percent) would be caused by highway relocations through important breed- ing, nesting, and brooding habitats. The table below summarizes the impacts expected from road reloca- tions on the key wildlife species--deer, elk, and sage grouse. Wildlife Annual 1979 plan Percent of total Number population Number 11186 41 194 o 0 3 grouse 52 4 109 1/ The FES stated a loss of 240 deer. by the Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination deer. impacts loss 1986 plan Percent of total Net difference population Number Percent 43 -8 -2 10 -3 -10 9 -57 -5 This was later corrected Act Report (1979) to 186 Species Mule deer Elk Sage S-14