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<br />... <br />...-.j <br />l' <br /> <br />. <br />, <br /> <br />each state to reduce the number of wintering elk to bring them into <br />some kind of balance with the expanded agricultural production. The <br />Wyoming Game and Fish Department estimates a 36 percent reduction of <br />the elk wintering in the immediate vicinity of the project will be <br />necessary. The Colorado Division of Wildlife likewise will have to <br />substantially reduce the number of wintering elk, but a definitive <br />estimate of how much has not yet been made. . <br /> <br />There is also an interstate herd of mule deer, many of which winter in <br />the project vicinity; but a population estimate is not available. As <br />in the case of elk, deer damage to agricultural crops has been a long- <br />standing problem here. Increased crop production, some direct loss of <br />winter range, and interdiction of historical migration routes with <br />fences and project structures will cause deer to do even more crop <br />damage. Consequently, the Colorado and Wyoming Game and Fish agencies <br />will have to reduce the wintering deer herd to a level compatible with <br />project agriculture--or face greatly increased monetary payments for <br />crop damage. Wyoming estimates a 41 percent reduction of wintering deer <br />will be necessary; but the Colorado Division of Wildlife has not yet <br />made a definitive estimate 'of the reduction in deer numbers which in- <br />evitably will be required. <br /> <br />Pronghorn antelope will be severely affected by the Savery-Pot Hook <br />Project because of the conversion of their traditional winter range to <br />cropland. Antelope move altitudinally in response to seasonal changes, <br />summering at higher elevations and wintering at lower levels. Since <br />the lowest point in the project area is the Little Snake River, the <br />closer to the river the winter habitat is, the'more important it be- <br />comes. Studies indicate the most important antelope winter range is <br />the sagebrush biome below the 6,500-foot contour in an average winter. <br />Coincidentally, the Pot Hook Canal will run essentially on that contour <br />and most of the antelope winter range below the canal will be converted <br />to agriculture. In addition, observations show the Little Snake River <br />itself is an important source of winter water. <br /> <br />Antelope will be more severely impacted by development on the <br />Colorado side of the project area because more acres of winter antelope <br />range will be destroyed there; however, the upper ends of both the <br />Pot Hook and Dolan Nesa Canal systems will nearly coincide with the <br />6,500-foot contour and will provide irrigation water to lower, undevel- <br />oped lands, making possible--and probably inevitable--conversion of all <br />the sagebrush habitat below this contour. <br /> <br />4 <br />