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<br />"\1. '. <br /> <br />Response 14: We would want to use project water if replacement lands are located within <br />o the Uncompahgre Project service area and are already classified as irrigable. <br />o <br />CO <br />~..... Comment 15: "Will this project have any effect on livestock grazing on BLM land, or on <br />water availability for livestock, or will it require AUM reductions" (BLM) <br /> <br />Response 15: Piping the laterals on the east side of the Uncompahgre Valley should have no <br />impact on livestock grazing on BLM lands, on water availability for livestock, or require <br />AUM reductions. The Winter Water Program, which is nearly complete, is providing an <br />alternate source of stockwater for cases in which a canal or lateral is dry in the winter or is <br />placed in pipe. <br /> <br />WetkuuJlHabitat Impacts <br /> <br />Comment 16: "The appended maps... should also show location of wetland losses... and <br />locations for mitigative habitat replacement... if they are known. " (Clark) <br /> <br />Response 16: The location of wetlands are shown on large aerial photos and maps that are <br />too numerous and large to append to this EA. They are available for review at <br />Reclamation's office in Grand Junction. Specific locations for habitat replacement lands have <br />not been determined yet. <br /> <br />Revised Habitat Replacement Program <br /> <br />Comment 17: "More explanation and detail should be given of intended special stipulations <br />and designs to prevent damage to wetlands." (Clark) <br /> <br />Response 17: Measures that can be taken to avoid or minimize impacts to wetlands will <br />depend on site-specific conditions and must be discussed and mutually agreed upon by <br />members of the design team and affected landowners. We prefer to keep options open and <br />flexible, and would make design team members responsible for documenting success in <br />avoiding/minimizing impacts. <br /> <br />Comment 18: "We would rather see the BOR pursue a modified approach which would <br />maintain selected pockets of cottonwoods and wetlands, such as our own, within the <br />Uncompahgre Valley in addition to providing tracts along the rivers. It seems wise and less <br />expensive to work with land owners through legal agreements to maintain and improve <br />existing wetlands thereby preserving these valuable breeding, roosting, feeding and migratory <br />routes." (Cornelius) <br /> <br />Response 18: Given the purpose of salinity control projects (i.e. solving water quality <br />problems caused by irrigation/seepage) and our habitat mitigation goals (replace lost values), <br />it would not be effective to depend on agreements with individual landowners of "pockets." <br />Pockets in the valley are often maintained by "on-farm" irrigation. Arrangements to protect <br /> <br />35 <br /> <br />\ <br />