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' but either could be added if dictated by evaluation protocol. From a recent on- <br />site inspection, approximately 1,500 cubic yards of gravel material would have <br />' to be removed to create this channel. The preliminary cost for equipment and <br />manpower mobilization/demobilization and removal of material has been estimated <br />at $3,000 to $3,150 ($2.00 to $2.50 per cubic yard; Personal communication, Chuck <br />' Gallagher, 1994). If this conceptual plan is approved for this site, a more <br />detailed survey will be conducted by a hydraulic engineer to determine <br />feasibility, suitable design, and to estimate costs. Refinement of these costs <br />would be made during the engineering, planning, and design/criteria phase. On- <br />site work should take no more than four days and should be conducted during the <br />low-flow months. The necessary documentation under the National Environmental <br />Policy Act (NEPA) could be initiated in early Fiscal Year 1995 and implementation <br />' of on-site work could begin in the spring Fiscal Year 1995. <br />Some maintenance may be required initially to remove material that has <br />sloughed from sloped banks in the connection channel. Beaver activity has been <br />t high in the past. The creation of a channel connecting the river may attract <br />beaver activity. Ample material exists in the immediate area for beaver to build <br />a dam in the connection channel. This will need to be monitored. Placement of <br />' the channel at the downstream end should minimize sediment buildup -in the mouth <br />of the channel on the river side. If excessive sediment buildup becomes a <br />problem, periodic maintenance may be required to remove this sediment. Sediment <br />' buildup in the drainage ditch connection to the river near the proposed site <br />appears to be minimal. No alterations are planned for the smaller pond to the <br />north. <br />Impacts of Development to Native Flora and Fauna <br />' Presently, road access is available across the property and on the dike. <br />Heavy machinery such as track or back hoes, dump trucks, and small pickups should <br />have little or no impact to existing vegetation if they remain in established <br />road tracks. To prevent accidental destruction of vegetative reclamation <br />' implemented by the gravel mining contractor, protection would be provided by <br />temporarily flagging the area and placing vinyl construction fencing around young <br />cottonwood saplings and areas seeded with grasses. Removal of some non-native <br />' tamarisk on the dike will be required. Waterfowl using this area would only be <br />disturbed temporarily by noise from heavy machinery. No adverse impacts to fish <br />species are anticipated. <br />' If this conceptual plan is approved, documentation of impacts will follow <br />the requirements of NEPA. Required state and federal permits would be obtained <br />prior to completion of NEPA. <br />PROPOSED OPERATION OF BOTTOMLANDS <br />Operational Criteria <br />' Initially, no formal operational criteria will be established for this site <br />because no water or fish control structures will be installed. A temporary fish <br />trap and weir could be installed in the future, if needed. The USFWS has <br />' 15 <br />