WSP09808

• File Number: 8220.112.I
• Description: Dallas Creek Participating Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 5/3/1976
• Title: CWCB - Additional Agenda Item - Board Meeting - May 12/1976 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Dallas Creek Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Board Memo

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COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD
102 Columbine Building
1845 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203

May 3, 1976

M E M 0 RAN DUM

TO: Members, Colorado Water Conservation Board and
Colorado Water Congress Executive Committee

FROM: Felix L. Sparks, Director

SUBJECT: Additional Agenda Item, Board Meeting, May 12, 1976 -
Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Dallas Creek Project

The staff of this board has completed its review of the
draft environmental statement for the Dallas Creek Project. We believe
that the draft statement adequately describes the plan of development
and the environmental impact thereof. The plan of development is in
accordance with the previous guidance provided by Governor Lamm and
this board. The only portions of the draft statement to which the
staff takes considerable exception are contained in the chapter relating
to mitigation measures. Those portions are contained on page n-lO of
the draft statement, as follows: "About 6,000 acres would be purchased
or acquired and used as an intensive game management area to help, offset
the loss of deer winter range and other wildlife habitat;" and, 'About
19 miles of fishing easements would be purchased along the Uncompahgre
River and the East and West Forks of Dallas Creek to increase fishing
opportunities."

While the above quoted portions do not so specifically state.
the implication is clear that 6,000 acres of private lands could be
condemned for wildlife management and 19 miles of river easements
condemned for public fishing purposes. There are circumstances under
which such mitigation measures might be justified, but we do not believe
that such circumstances exist for the Dallas Creek Project, as herein.
after set forth under separate headings.

A. Wildlife Mitigation.

In the project feasibility report, it was contemplated that
14,690 acres of private lands would be placed under full service
irrigation on Log Hill Mesa. Most of those lands were used at
that time for grazing by domestic livestock. The same area was
and still is used by a portion of the Uncompahgre deer herd,
particularly during the winter months. The comments of the Fish
and Wildlife Service on this situation in the feasibility report
were as follows: "The irrigation of 14,690 acres of new land
on Log Hill Mesa would reduce deer habitat and would be detrimental
to the herd by concentrating deer on range of poorer quality,