Laserfiche WebLink
<br />002831 <br /> <br />CHAPTER 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br /> <br />4.1 INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />This chapter identifies and evaluates the effects of implementing the Proposed Action or the project <br />alternatives as described in Chapter 2. Evaluation is based upon the comparison of existing resource <br />values, as presented in Chapter 3, with the implementation of the described alternatives. For some <br />resource areas, the anticipated changes can be readily quantified. Others, however, can only be <br />described in qualitative terms. <br /> <br />The Forest Service alternatives presented in Chapter 2 include: <br /> <br />. Alternative A - No Action <br />. Alternative B - Fish Creek Reservoir Expansion (proposed Action) <br />. Alternative C - Smaller Fish Creek Reservoir Expansion <br /> <br />In addition to these alternatives, several options are available to Alternatives B and C. These options <br />include borrow sites(s) designated to provide materials required for construction, service roads to the <br />dam, power supply source, and campground location. These options are discussed within the <br />resource areas in which their implementation has an impact. <br /> <br />This chapter is organized by environmental resource area, in the same manner as Chapter 3. The <br />environmental impacts of the alternatives on the resource areas are described. Under each resource <br />area, the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts for the alternatives are evaluated. These impacts <br />are defined as follows: <br /> <br />. Direct impacts - Those effects which occur at the same time and In the same <br />general location as the activity causing the effects <br /> <br />. Indirect impacts - Those effects which occur at a different time or at a different <br />location than the activity to which the effects are related. <br /> <br />. Cumulative impacts - Those effects which, when combined with similar effects <br />from past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future actions, may result in <br />environmental impacts. <br /> <br />Proposed mitigation measures are also defined under each resource area and outlined in Appendix <br />K. Effective mitigation can preclude, prevent, or limit the duration and/or severity of potential <br />project related impacts. After mitigation is discussed, the unavoidable adverse impacts to each <br />resource area are disclosed. <br /> <br />4.2 DAM SAFETY/FLOOD HAZARD <br /> <br />4.2.1 Introduction <br /> <br />The Fish Creek Reservoir, located in the Routt National Forest is situated in an isolated area which <br />is generally inaccessible from November through June of each year. Due to the site's remoteness, <br />the reservoir's performmce and flood hazard conditions are difficult to monitor and regulate on a <br />regular basis and the ability to respond to potential dam problems is hindered. <br /> <br />::::=;*-"<<:::::~~,~:m:l':':,,*:::0:~;:O::~~~W,S';...W~,'lv,\o'....'W.<<<<<<W).~W.':"W',:-,.,<;'<,~#Mo}.<'h::;;'>:~~~;::.";<:::,:w....<;.:;::;::::..:-s.:::;::..,-:.:~y...<'..:::;:;;-:.~;.~.;.;;.;:;:,;.,~;~:;.:-::::,:(.:.;.:.>>;-.{:';::':';;';":':-:<;~~'<:-:::-:';'~;':'$;-:-:<<(.:,<::::~~~;::';: <br /> <br />Septem~ 1993 <br /> <br />Page 4.1 <br />