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<br />I <br /> <br />will not measuredly affect the existing physical or chemical environment <br /> <br />of the Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, humpback chub or bony tail <br /> <br />chub on the Gunnison or Colorado Rivers downstream from the project area. <br /> <br />Thus, all indications are that fish populations (density and distribution) <br /> <br />will not be affected by the Dallas Creek Project. This same conclusion is <br /> <br />included in the Dallas Creek Environmental Statement (Bureau of Reclamation, <br /> <br />1976). <br /> <br />e. <br /> <br />Hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis) <br /> <br />'I <br />, <br /> <br />This hedgehog cactus was proposed as an endangered species by the Fish <br /> <br />'i <br /> <br />f <br />and Wildlife Service in June, 1976. The variety inermis is not widely accepted i <br /> <br />as a distinct variety largely because the spin~less variety inermis intergrades <br /> <br />with the spined variety melanocanthus. The geographical distribution of the <br /> <br />cactus includes Montrose, Delta, Mesa, and Ouray Counties in western Colorado. <br /> <br />f, <br />:1 <br />, <br /> <br />The cactus is generally found in pinon-juniper woodlands, usually on <br /> <br />.~ I <br /> <br />mesa tops and has been found at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />It may be found on slopes ranging from 0 to 25 percent. There are four known " <br /> <br />populations of the cactus: one in western Montrose County, one near Ouray, <br /> <br />~ <br />~~I <br />;,' <br />t, <br />one on the Uncompahgre Plateau west of Delta, and one southwest of Grand tl <br />,1, <br />l <br />Junction, (Ratzloff, 1977). According to James Ratzloff (Personal communication, ~ <br /> <br />1979) the cactus has not been reported from the Dallas Creek Project area, <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~.z <br /> <br />but a specific survey of the area has not been conducted. <br /> <br />Approximately 425 acres of pinon-juniper and sagebrush would be inundated <br /> <br />by Ridgway Reservoir and approximately 2,535 acres included in the project <br /> <br />right-of-way (Bureau of Reclamation, 1976). These areas may represent <br /> <br />23 <br />