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<br />. For this study. the range ofimproveinents to ecosystem functions is limited to the amounts and <br />timin2 of in-stream flows. and the length of stream reach receiving the in-stream flows before <br />they are removed for other purposes. If the in-stream flows would be expected to resiJlt in <br />restoring floodplainfunction.byreconnection ofside channelsor oxbows to the main channel; <br />. providing formorenatural channel conditions by restoration of pools and riffles; restoring <br />streamside or adjacentwetlandhydrology; and restoring conditions more conducive to native <br />aquatic and "riparian vegetation, then ,such improvements will be especiallyrecognized~ . <br /> <br />.. The water users' proposed oDerationswill be one alternative. Another alternative will be . <br />developed that better addresses tbe winter flows needed in the South Platte as identified in the <br />South Platte River Corridor Proiect In-stream Issues Report. November 14. 1996. Another.. <br />alternative will be developed that addresses summer flows of 150 efs. Another alternative that .. <br />will be considered is one suggested by Ray Sperger in his scopin!! comment letter dated March 8.. <br />2005. AllY of the alternatives can involve less tl1'ahthe 10.300 'acre feet maximum that would be <br />allocated foi-ecosystem restoration as a firstuse. It may be necessary to conduct a mid-point <br />. analvsis (5.150 acre feet) for each alternative todetennine if the benefits are linear. . <br /> <br />. . <br />The objective of ecosystem restoration is to re~tore degraded ecosystem structure, function, and <br />. dynamic procesSes to a less degraded,l11ore natural condition. 'Restored ecosystems will mimic; <br />as closely' as possible, conditions which would occur in the area in the absence of human changes <br />to the landsCape and hydrology. 'Iildicatorsot -success would include the presence of a large _ <br />variety of native plants and animals, the ability of the area to sustain larger numbers of certain <br />... indicator species or more biologically desirable species. and the abi lity of the restored area to <br />continue to function and produce the desired outputs with a minimum of continuing human <br />intervention: Those restoration opportunities that are associated with wetlands, riparian and other <br />floodplain and. aquatic systems are most appropriate for Corps involvement. <br /> <br />. c <br />Ecosystem projects are to address the restoration of ecosystems and not restoration of cultural or <br />historic resources, aesthetic resources, or clean up of hazardous arid toxic wastes. Ecosystem <br />restoration. projects are to be d~signed to avoid the, need for fish and wildlife mitigation. The <br />emohasis of the fonnuhition process will he formulating alternatives that take advantalZe of the <br />synergies created by the plans thataddtess both the primary water supply problem and the <br />relevant secondary in-stream flow problem. . <br /> <br />'. . <br />Limited recreational features compatible with the ecosystem outputs for which the proiect is <br />desi2ned are peimissible.Recreationa,1 features must be justified and appropriately cost-shared, <br />and should not incre8$e the Federal cost of the ecosystem restoration project by more than 10 . <br />percent. <br /> <br />. '". .. . . <br /> <br />Water qualitY is animportantcomjxment of ecosystem sfructiJre and w~ter quality improvement <br />. can be considered as an output of an ecosystem'restorlltion project: However, projects or features <br />. that would result in treating or otherwise abating pollution problems caused by other parties . . <br />where those parties have, or are likely to have a legal responsibility for remedia,tion or other <br />compliance responsibility shall not be recommendedfor implementation. It appears that there <br />will be water quality improvement output forthis project, but it will be more ofa secondary <br />output. secondary to streamflow and stream. habitat restoration. <br /> <br />. . <br />. . . . '" <br />. . <br />Appropriate engineerinil investigations shall be conducted for each alternative measure and plan <br />to ensure the hydrololJic realization oftheirobiective is attainable. . . <br /> <br />. . <br />. An initial cost estimate for each measure and plan shall also be developed. <br /> <br />5 <br />