WSP12731 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Finding on the Public Land Health Standard for Plant and Animal Communities (partial, see also Wildlife, Aquatic and Wildlife, Terrestrial): A formal health assessment has not occurred within the proposed area as of this time. Based on general observations, however, it appears that the area would not be meeting vegetation standards due to impacts related to the un-restricted use in the area. The Proposed Action could help change this assessment. WILDLIFE, AQUATIC (includes a fmding on Standard 3) Affected Environment: Some issues that affect aquatic wildlife are partially discussed in the floodplain section earlier as lost riparian vegetation does affect the health of the stream environment. Specific to actual in-stream aquatic wildlife habitat however, most impacts will revolve around timing for placement of in-stream structures during implementation. The Arkansas River in the incised reaches, such as the project location, is naturally a mixed-size rock-lined substrate. This mix offers relief from extreme flow for fish. Small fish and invertebrates seek refuge from scouring flows in spaces between rocks and at the river margins. This project seeks to alter the amounts of swift water and slack-water in the stream reach discussed which affects stream microhabitat e.g., spawning areas, feeding areas, etc. Environmental ConsequenceslMitigation: Placement ofrock in the channel as discussed will affect the microhabitat of areas that will receive rock placement and areas up and downstream for a short distance. Overall, fish and macroinvertebrate populations in the river above and below the planned in-stream structures will be unaffected by the site specific changes over the long term. Changes in angling pressure could modify harvest but will be regulated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. As a condition for this work to proceed, a 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is needed by project developers. Through that process, ACOE will obtain specific comments from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, BLM and other affected interests. Comments will largely address details about rock placement to minimize impact to aquatic wildlife but none are known currently that could cause undo harm to aquatic wildlife over the long term. Instability of placed rock could affect the stream environment and long term maintenance of the placed features needs to be assigned to an entity other than BLM under the Cooperative Management Agreement. Project work should be timed to avoid the spawning and egg incubation concerns provided by the CDOW. As a condition of authorization ofthis action, project proponents should obtain a 404 permit from ACOE that will address specific project details necessary to minimize impacts to the aquatic environment. Finding on the Public Land Health Standard for Plant and Animal Communities (partial, see also Vegetation and Wildlife, Terrestrial): There will be some short term impacts and some long term change in micro-habitat features from this project but overall change to aquatic wildlife populations from this project will be negligible through time outside issues raised in the Floodplain section of this EA. Runoff, pollutants and other issues discussed in the hydrology section will have a small but cumulative impact to the overall health of the Arkansas River and all possible erosion "Best management Practices" should be incorporated into project implementation to minimize negative cumulative impacts.