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<br />Orchard Mesa Selenium Remediation Environment Assessment <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />The Uinta hookless cactus is found in gravelly soil of hills and mesas in the Colorado and <br />Gunnison River valleys. Its distribution includes Montrose, Delta, Mesa, and Garfield Counties in <br />Colorado (Colorado Native Plant Society 1989 and Spackman et aI1997). The cactus has not been <br />documented in the project area and suitable habitat is limited. The Uinta hookless cactus is not <br />anticipated to be affected by the Preferred Alternative. <br /> <br />All construction contracts would have "Stop Work Clauses" that would require the contractor to <br />stop construction activities if a threatened or endangered species is encountered. If this would <br />occur, construction would be halted until consultation with the Service was completed. <br /> <br />Water Ril!:hts and Water Uses <br /> <br />The OMW A receives irrigation drainage and tail water from irrigation on Orchard Mesa via the <br />OM 4 Drain. This water is used for replacement wildlife habitat associated with the Grand Valley <br />Salinity Control Project. Water rights and water uses will not be affected by the Preferred <br />Alternative and no new water diversions would occur. <br /> <br />Cultural Resources <br /> <br />Cultural resource surveys were completed when the property was purchased by Reclamation in <br />1997. No sites were documented. All construction contracts would have "Stop Work Clauses" <br />that would require the contractor to stop construction activities if cultural resources are <br />encountered. If this would occur, construction would be halted until consultation with the State <br />Historical Preservation Officer was completed. <br /> <br />. Indian Trust Assets <br /> <br />Indian trust assets are legal interests in property held in trust by the United States for Indian tribes <br />or individuals. Reclamation and other Federal agencies share the responsibility to protect these <br />assets. There have been no trust assets identified in the project area, and therefore no impact on <br />these assets is predicted. <br /> <br />Environmental Justice <br /> <br />Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice provides that Federal agencies analyze programs <br />to assure that they do not disproportionately adversely affect minority or low income populations <br />or Indian tribes. There are no potentially affected populations in the project area and no adverse <br />affects on environmental justice are predicted. <br />