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1)1)2873 CHAPTER 4 . ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES :!:@$~>>.u;:::>::::::;:~"'::'-~"':$::i?r-:~.i:S::-:~~>>:0~~-w..>;~*,:m~&3';:;:;:m..->>:.::~~~~:;:~~S$@..~:;:;.m;.::::<<,::.v.4>>:~:;:lS.::>..::$.:"':::e;::,~~~>.m::;:&::~m:.::::::;:::::.:..,,<<,.;:::n::;,>:K$:..'<$;3::'i< 4.8.4 Mitigation and Enhancements Summary Under all alternatives, (A, B and C), Fish Creek Reservoir would be restocked. 4.8.5 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Existing terrestrial and stream habitats affected by inundation or by campground and road construction would be permanently lost as a result of the implementation of Alternatives B or C. Mitigation in the form of habitat improvement and maintenance of minimum stream flow in Fish Creek would somewhat mitigate stream habitat losses associated with Middle Fork Fish Creek and Granite Creek. Reclamation of disturbed borrow areas would revegetate these disturbances, but it is unlikely that reclaimed borrow areas would support vegetation as productive and diverse as that existing prior to disturbance. 4.8.6 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources Terrestrial and stream habitats inundated by the proposed expansion would be irreversibly committed to water storage and convened to lake habitat. New roads that would be developed would also commit habitat resources for the long-term unless reclaimed. 4.9 RECREATION 4.9.1 Introduction Fish Creek Reservoir, although accessible by car, is a fairly remote recreation area with a limited amount of developed facilities. For these reasons, the reservoir provides a rather pristine and uncrowded recreation setting, even when the campground is full. Although use can become concentrated on the weekends, the campground's low capacity and poor access protects the nature of the recreational setting. Visitors have come to appreciate the solitude afforded to them at the reservoir, making Fish Creek Reservoir a valued recreational resource. The scope of this discussion consists of potential impactS to developed and dispersed recreational resources defined in Section 3.9, Recreation. The primary study area refers to Fish Creek Reservoir and its immediate surroundings, while the secondary study area refers to other resources in the Routt National Forest that could be indirectly affected by the proposed reservoir expansion. Study area boundaries and the location of recreational resources are shown in figures presented in Section 3.9. 4.9.2 Direct and Indirect Impacts 4.11.1. t II.ltll\"lI11ti.llll. - HlIl1.etioll Under Alternative A, the existing campground and facilities would remain. 4.9.1.2 Allerneli.e B - Proposed Reservoir Expension Short Term ImDacts - The proposed expansion of Fish Creek Reservoir under Alternative B, would affect primarily the summer-use season. The expanded shoreline would inundate Granite Campground (4 campsites and picnic tables), a parking lot, and a user-created trail that circles the reservoir. Because these facilities would be replaced as part of project mitigation, the loss of developed and dispersed recreation resources at Fish Creek Reservoir would be temporary and would @~~~~~~~~<;::::"'''0'5i.~~~~.~''Mm::<:<<=:::;~.w.~~0:;Xl.l:'~<:-~:':.\'"..x.;.}:~~:.}~~;.:;:~:-:-;:.::m::.;.::::;:"X;W~:;'"7.-:=~.=,":"?:::.::::-:.~:.:::;::::;:.;.;;:::.::::: Seplernb<r 1993 Page 4.31