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" ',., o ~ ""-i co Environmental Commitments The next chapter discusses impacts to be mitigated by the following environmental commitments. Separate commitments would be developed if/when lining canals is proposed. Habitat Replacement Program - As previously stated, commitments to replace habitat are: (1) develop at least 212 habitat units on up to 1 ,370 acres of land, prefernbly along the river corridors, and (2) transplant up to 2,250 cottonwood saplings throughout the project area. The goal of the habitat replacement program is to concurrently replace lost habitat values. The "Final Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report" of the FWS (see Attachment C) lists their recommendations. Reclamation has incorpornted all recommendations in the following list, except the suggestion that Reclamation should own and manage replacement lands, Reclamation feels it is more appropriate for ownership and management to be by non-Federal entities. Reclamation should facilitate developmc;nt and management for habitat replacement purposes. . Reclamation will prepare budgets for use of salinity control funds in meeting commitments. Agreements for construction of the lateral improvements will state construction would not begin until replacement activities have, or can begin. Major development activities should be completed in 3 years following approval of a development plan, . Acquire land interests from willing sellers at fair market value, as detennined using standard appraisal procedures. Detennine existing and potential habitat value of candidate properties in consultation with the FWS. Replacement areas should be of a manageable size (at least 200 acres), but may be smaller where parcels adjoin other public lands. . Replacement areas should be managed consistent with water quality improvement objectives for both salinity and selenium contamination. Development should not involve impoundment of irrigation return flows that are high in selenium. . Highest priority for replacement areas would be along the Gunnison River, between the North Fork confluence down to the Escalante State Wildlife Area. The second priority would be along the Uncompahgre River bordering the project area. Other areas could be along the Gunnison River downstream from the Escalante State Wildlife Area (to include habitat important to the recovery of endangered fish), land next to Fruitgrowers Reservoir 4 miles north of the project area (valuable due to significant use by migratory birds), and habitat along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. . Develop areas to restore, enhance andlor preserve existing riparian and wetland habitat. Increase diversity; create complexes of native wetland habitat and open water in combination with upland habitats. Seek to create broad-leaved emergent wetlands (dominated by cattails, reeds, bulrushes), interspersed with water and close to dense willow and cottonwood communities. Restore riparian habitat and floodplain to benefit species of concern, such as 9