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<br />. ~ ',' <br /> <br />Threatened or Endangered Species <br /> <br />Comment 27: "It is important that construction contracts include clauses restricting work if <br />candidate or endangered plants are identified in the area affected by constroction. It is also <br />important that plant identification is conducted by a qualified person." (FWS) <br /> <br />Response 27: These protection measures are specified as the "Environmental <br />Commitments." Surveys for endangered and candidate plants will be performed prior to <br />construction by contractors considered to be qualified by the FWS. <br /> <br />Comment 28: Discussion is needed as to whether aspects of the proposed plan will <br />indirectly initiate or facilitate land use changes which then may adversely affect threatened <br />and endangered species." (Clark) <br /> <br />Response 28: The section on threatened and endangered species indicates the proposed plan <br />will lead to land-use changes, especially where habitat replacement properties are located <br />along the river corridor. The FWS has concurred in Reclamation's assessment that changes <br />will not affect, and may benefit, threatened and endangered species. <br /> <br />Comment 29: "[BLM's Wildlife Biologist] suggests that USFWS require BOR to contribute <br />funding toward a complete status survey of the T&E plant species in the area, especially as <br />mitigation for any T&E plants impacted by constroction." (BLM) <br /> <br />Response 29: Reclamation has committed to conduct surveys of potential borrow areas, <br />realignment routes, and habitat replacement lands for listed plants (see "Environmental <br />Commitments" section in Chapter 2). Due to the xeric (dry) nature of the listed plants, the <br />probability of their occurrence along the lateral systems is remote and does not merit surveys <br />of the existing lateral routes. While the commitment is aimed at avoiding impacts to listed <br />plants, the surveys would also document occurrences of any candidate plants. <br /> <br />Socio-Economic Factors <br /> <br />Comment 30: "The priorities set for habitat replacement lands (location) appear to be based <br />on socio-economic concerns ... Service's priority for land acquisition would be lands along <br />the Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers in close proximity to the project area." (FWS) <br /> <br />Response 30: Priorities for replacement areas are based on many factors, and were <br />established by a team that included FWS and CDOW representatives. <br /> <br />Comment 31: "Socio-economic concerns with habitat replacement along the Uncompahgre <br />River should be explained. From this statement it appears they had significantly influenced <br />the location of replacement habitat as opposed to the earlier discussion on this matter. " <br />(Clark) <br /> <br />38 <br />