9417

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9417
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Acquisition and Enhancement of Floodplain Habitats along the Upper Colorado, Green, and Gunnison Rivers as part of the Recovery Program for Endangered Colorado River Fishes.
• Copyright Material: NO

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose and Need for Action ....................,.....,..,...... 1-1

B. Authority .........,.................".,.,................... 1-1

C. Background ................................................. 1-1
D. Recovery Program ........,.................."............... 1-2
E. Overview of Upper Colorado River Basin ...,...................... 1-2
F. Endangered Fish ............................................. 1-3
G. Importance of Floodplain Habitat to Recovery , . . . . , . . . . . . . , . . . . , . . . . 1-3
H. Distribution of Floodplain Habitat .................,...."......... 1-4
I. Related Projects ..,....................................,..... 1-5

CHAPTER II - ALTERNATIVES

A. Process Used to Develop Alternatives .............. . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 2-1
B. Criteria Used to Evaluate Alternatives ............................. 2-1
1. Sufficient Quantity ..........................,.......... 2-1
2. Adequate Quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
3. Best Available Habitat ....,............................. 2-1
4. Timeliness ........,..............................,... 2-2
5. Permanent Rights .........,.........,....,........,.... 2-2
C. Alternatives Considered ..........................,...,.,....... 2-2
1. The No Action Alternative ................................ 2-2
2. Induce Flooding I ....,.......,.......................... 2-2
3. Protect and Enhance Flooded Bottomlands
To Take Advantage of Existing Flows ...................... 2-2
D. Alternatives Eliminated I........................................ 2-4
Alternative # 2 - Induce Flooding .....................,....... 2-4
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CHAPTER III - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

A. Introduction and overviJw of Project Area ......................... 3-1
B. Socio-Economic FactorS ....,................................,. 3-2
C. Fish and Wildlife Resoutces ..........",............,......,... 3-5
1. Native and Introduced Fish and Wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . .3-5
2. Endangered Sp$cies ................................... 3-5
D. Vegetation and Land USe ........,....................,......... 3-6
E. Water Resources ............................................ 3-7
F. Floodplains ................................................. 3-8

G. Wetlands.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
H. Historic and Cultural Re~ources ................................. 3-9
I. Indian Trust Assets ...1........................................ 3-9
J. Environmental Just,ice I....................................... 3-10
K. Summary of PotentIal Impacts ..............................,.. 3-10

Chapter IV - Coordination and conLltation

A. Public Scoping ..... ........................................ 4-1

B. Open Houses ..............,.....................,.......... 4-1
C. Distribution List ..... I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . .'. 4-1
D. Comments Received a~d Responses to Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4