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<br />!" <br /> <br />~ r~ " It <br />11.)'1'1 <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS <br /> <br />An environmental statement for the Narrows Unit addressed to the <br />five items of Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy <br />Act of 1969 was filed with the Council on Environmental Quality on <br />June 9, 1970. This statement was prepared prior to the availability <br />of guidelines issued by the Council for statements on proposed Federal <br />actions affecting the environment and the subsequent establishment of <br />implementing instructions by the Department of the Interior and the <br />Bureau of Reclamation. <br /> <br />The environmental impacts of the Unit will include: <br /> <br />(1) The creation of a new reservoir having a water surface area <br />of approximately 15,000 acres. Most of the land to be <br />inundated is now used for agricultural purposes. <br /> <br />(2) The establishment of a new reservoir fishery in lieu of a <br />stream fishery. <br /> <br />(3) The conversion of 5-1/2 miles of low quality warm water stream <br />fishery to a good cold water fishery downstream from the dam. <br /> <br />(4) The development and operation of 15,765 acres of project <br />lands as a wildlife management unit to mitigate losses and <br />damages to the present fish and wildlife resources and to <br />enhance the project area for upland game and waterfowl. <br /> <br />(5) The stabilization of a 2,500-acre offstream (Jackson Lake) <br />reservoir environment specifically to maximize benefits for <br />fish and wildlife and recreation purposes. <br /> <br />(6) The provisions of a much needed water-oriented recreation <br />outlet for northeastern Colorado. <br /> <br />(7) Return flows from supplemental irrigation water provided by <br />the Narrows Unit are expected to improve the quality of water <br />in the South Platte River downstream from the Unit durin~ <br />low-flow periods. <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />(8) The additional water supply, flood protection, fish and <br />wildlife enhancement, and recreational developments and <br />associated socio-economic opportunities provided by the Unit <br />will contribute substantially to the improvement of the well- <br />being of the residents of the area. <br /> <br />(9) The project will help to stabilize the local economy. <br /> <br />(10) The project should help increase the opportunities for <br />individuals to live in a rural environment. <br /> <br />25 <br />