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l)u28SQ CHAPTER 4 . ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ~:{:-%:'m~W::;~*,~8::;:~~~-:;&:;:@.::.r:lli:m::.::~~::w:<<:;:;w.;:<:.:;:x;;;.:.:.::;;m~~'::'i::~,<:;~-::w.:-$:~~:::;:;..~~<=>;.:::;.::;:s::r:Wx:.:::,:;:;:;r.:::::'.<<':;<~~X:;:;:;:;:X:'':'=:?::x~W..::r:<~;f.:;::::r.-:::3W....:.'r:$;::..~;;i:>>>>::~~@m:3': An indirect impact of Alternative A would be the effects ~f water shortages that could occur without the expanded reservoir capacity. Water shortages could result in watering restrictions, which would adversely affect the residential and commercial landscapes and ornamental plantings in Steamboat Springs. The City depends on landscaping to mitigate the adverse visual effectS of various types of development. It is also possible, however, that within the next 20 years more drought resistant plants can be gradually phased into the City's planting standards. 4. t t .2.2 Alternative B - Proposed RIIS8rvoir Expension Short Tenn Direct Impacts - Construction activities associated with Alternative B would result in short-term visual impacts for two consecutive recreation seasons. Since access to the area is quite limited during the winter, the twO construction periods Qate May through October) would coincide with the primary recreational use of the area. There would be some visual impacts to hunters or other recreationists that do visit the site in the late fall, resulting from the drained reservoir and any trailers or material stockpiles left by the contractor. During the summer months, construction activities would be readily apparent to those passing by the reservoir on FDR 310 (see Section 3.9 for existing recreation uses). Since the campground would be closed during construction, there will be no short-term visual impacts to people using the campground. Short-term visual impacts during construction would result from the activities and features listed below. It is unlikely that any of these activities would meet the "modification" VQO during the construction period. The exact impactS of each activity would depend on the final location and design of each feature. . Structures required for the construction camp . Materials stockpiles . The concrete batch plant . Staging areas . Clearing activities for the expanded reservoir . Clearing for other facilities (dams, campground, construction camp, spi\1way) . Draining of the reservoir . Earth moving and other types of construction equipment . Excavation of borrow material . Fugitive dust created by the above and other construction activities In addition, the traffic generated by the project would create a visual change, as well as increased noise and dust levels, to those using or living along the proposed access route (Fish Creek Reservoir Road ,Buffalo Pass Road, and Strawberry Park Road). If construction proceeds, project-related traffic would be an estimated average of 15 vehicles per day round trip during mobilization and demobilization at the beginning and end of the construction seasons. Peak traffic during this time is estimated to be 30 vehicles per day round trip. Average daily traffic during the remaining period would be an estimated 7 vehicles round trip, with a peak of 15 vehicles. It is not expected that night lighting would be required during the project construction. H the contractor should fall behind schedule, night shifts and thus night lighting could be required, which could create a very short-term, adverse visual effect, depending on the type and intensity of lighting. Lone: Term Direct Impacts - Long term direct impacts of Alternative B would be limited to the area in the immediate vicinity of the reservoir, including both the existing and proposed campgrounds, the proposed trailhead to Long Lake, and the portion of the Middle Fork of Fish Creek immediately downstream of the dam (approximately 1/2 mile in length). Approximately 1.3 ::-;w.<,,<:;::~x..:;:.:.::::m:;~>>'~;':".l::;::::":" ~':..~00.~.$W__:{.'m::;:::;:~-*",/~-<:;~:~<:x@"..<<-:.:~~=:::>:=:::::-,.,:&X:i,:.;;::m:~m...~<::<::;;;"V&.';""~M:";:::~m~'<-:'w~ Septemh<r 1993 Page 4.39