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<br />lJ0287'5 <br /> <br />CHAPTER 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br />:;.-;:~m>:::::.0;-=:-@:m:::;-:<::::.:;:;:::?w..:::::-."::::,:;:;:::%>>::::;:.,w;;:::::x..<w.;;;:.?:-.-~;;;:;..,'W',..::,--rr,:;."S?::?.f:'",<:~~.0.~<<::::;.m::::::.::r::~@j'.x:~:::::,m':..m;@:l?Z::::m.<A:;::;:1~;:;'::;3'mi;-,:::>~~;l:::<:x;$..%~';:>>''r.3.?::->:.'X..::::::::W...3'::::;::--.;;.x:;:~:::*<<;;;::: <br /> <br />construction crew within the proiect area. Posting state hunting and fishing regulations at a <br />conspicuous place on the job site and making violation of regulations grounds for dismissal would <br />also reduce the chance of game and fishery violations. <br /> <br />Increased human presence and related increases in traffic levels on project access roads also increases <br />the potential for wildlife/vehicle collisions. Construction related to reservoir expansion would <br />require a 30-person crew for two seasons from late May to October. It is projected that, during the <br />two construction periods, there would be an average increase in round-trip traffic of 15 vehicles per <br />day on project access roads. Peak traffic levels would be 30 vehicles per day. H a construction camp <br />is established at the project site, traffic levels would average 7 vehicles per day with a peak of 15 <br />vehicles per day. The potential for wildlife/vehicle collisions is typically highest in the early <br />morning and evening hours and where roads traverse ranges or areas where mule deer or elk <br />congregate. The potential for an increase in wildlife/vehicle collisions is unknown but is expected <br />to be low for two reasons. First, construction would not be initiated until after mule deer and elk <br />have begun to disperse from winter concentration areas at the lower elevations. Second, vehicle <br />speeds along most of the access route would be relatively slow due to the steepness of the route and <br />the rough road surface. <br /> <br />4.8.2.3 Alternetive 8 . Proposed Reservoir Expansion <br /> <br />Alternative B disturbs the greatest amount of upland, wetland, and stream habitats. The expanded <br />reservoir area would permanently inundate 36.4 acres of terrestrial habitat and 15 acres of wetland <br />habitat for a total loss of 51.4 acres. Due to the relatively small losses of habitat and heavy <br />recreational use in the vicinity of the reservoir, the reduction in upland and wetland habitats is not <br />expected to have any measurable effect on loca\terrestrial wildlife populations. Disturbance to other <br />terrestrial habitats by construction activities would be relatively short-term, and effects on local <br />wildlife populations from these disturbances would also be negligible. With the Borrow Source A-I <br />option approximately 45 acres would be disturbed by construction activities related to the dam <br />enlargement, new campground, and roads. However, 28 acres of Borrow Area A-l would be <br />inundated by the expanded reservoir so construction activities would account for only about 18 acres <br />of additional total disturbance. <br /> <br />Within wetland areas to be disturbed, approximately 260 feet of Middle Fork Fish Creek and 1,350 <br />feet of Granite Creek would be inundated by reservoir expansion Alternative B. Loss of stream <br />habitat above the reservoir would be mitigated to some extent by agreements which would improve <br />fisheries habitat and maintain minimum in-stream flow in lower fish Creek. The CDOW may be <br />interested in improving recreational fishing in the reservoir by stocking catchable sized fish as well <br />as fry (Sealing, 1992). The expanded reservoir would have sufficient capacity to maintain a fisheries <br />pool at maximum drawdown. A fisheries pool would also enhance the viability of the fishery and <br />improve recreational fishing opportunities. <br /> <br />4.8.2.4 Altarnativa C . Smallar Reservoir Expansion <br /> <br />This alternative involves a smaller expansion than that proposed under Alternative B. With <br />Alternative C, reservoir expansion would inundate an additional 29.5 acres of upland and wetland <br />habitats, as compared to 51.4 acres for Alternative B. As with Alternative B, the majority of habitat <br />loss would involve wetland, upland meadow, and mixed conifer habitats (see Section 4.7, Vegetation). <br />With the Borrow Source A-I option, approximately 34 acres would be disturbed by construction <br />activities related to the dam enlargement, new campground, and roads. However, approximately 13 <br /> <br />:y'>>::;.:>;:~'?;::o;.x::...~~$~~<~<<{-:-"<:::;::';:::;:;;<<;:';.N.:':::::;~::,,=:'S",~W,.,.;..;:^,:,:,,...-W;::;:::~~~;':W,~07Mo/.';:"<::::::::~<<(.;:::x~:;::>::;..;:::w.::::::-:-''':':::<~;::''::::-.{';'':.KoX:.:,$~;'':':.}:~''<:::;'::'<<':'~;'::::::::l::"<<-::::;\<W.::;': <br /> <br />Stptemo.r 1993 <br /> <br />Page 4.29 <br />