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<br />- <br /> <br />applicable laws, regulations and public policies. Appropriate minimization of adversc;l <br />effects will be an integral component of each alternative plan. <br /> <br />For this study, the range of improvements to ecosystem functions is limited to the <br />amounts and timing of in-stream flows, and the length of stream reach receiving the in- <br />stream flows before they are removed for other purposes. If the in-stream flows would be <br />expected to result in restoring floodplain function by reconnection of side channels or <br />oxbows to the main channel; providing for more natural channel conditions by restoration <br />of pools and riffles; restoring streamside or adjacent wetland hydrology; and restoring <br />conditions more conducive to native aquatic and riparian vegetation, then such <br />improvements will be especially recognized. <br /> <br />The water users proposed operations will be one alternative. Another alternative will be <br />developed that better addresses the winter flows needed in the South Platte as identified <br />in the South Platte River Corridor Project, In-stream Issues Report, November 14, 1996. <br />Another alternative will be developed that addresses summer flows of 150 cfs. Another <br />alternative that will be considered is one suggested by Ray Sperger in his scoping <br />comment letter dated March 8, 2005. Any of the alternatives can involve less than the <br />10,300 acre feet maximum that would be allocated for ecosystem restoration as a first <br />use. It may be necessary to conduct a mid-point analysis (5,150 acre feet) for each <br />alternative to determine if the benefits are linear. <br /> <br />The objective of ecosystem restoration is to restore degraded ecosystem structure, <br />function, and dynamic processes to a less degraded, more natural condition. Restored <br />ecosystems will mimic, as closely as possible, conditions which would occur in the area <br />in the absence of human changes to the landscape and hydrology. Indicators of success <br />would include the presence of a large variety of native plants and animals, the ability of <br />the area to sustain larger numbers of certain indicator species or more biologically <br />desirable species, and the ability of the restored area to continue to function and produce <br />the desired outputs with a minimum of continuing human intervention. Those restoration <br />opportunities that are associated with wetlands, riparian and other floodplain and aquatic <br />systems are most appropriate for Corps involvement. <br /> <br />Ecosystem projects are to address the restoration of ecosystems and not restoration of <br />cultural or historic resources, aesthetic resources, or clean up of hazardous and toxic <br />wastes. Ecosystem restoration projects are to be designed to avoid the need for fish and <br />wildlife mitigation. The emphasis of the formulation process will be formulating <br />alternatives that take advantage of the synergies created by the plans that address both the <br />primary water supply problem and the relevant secondary in-stream flow problem, <br /> <br /> <br />Limited recreational features compatible with the ecosystem outputs for which the project <br />is designed are permissible. Recreational features must be justified and appropriately <br />cost-shared, and should not increase the Federal cost of the ecosystem restoration project <br />by more than 10 percent. <br /> <br />6 <br />