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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Alternative 1 - No Action Wetlands that are associated with floodplains along the Green, Upper Colorado, and Gunnison rivers would remain disconnected from the river by levees, dikes, and berms. Alternative 3 - Protection and Enhancement of Flooded Bottomlands by Acquisition Some of the wetlands would be restored in concert with restoration of floodplain habitats, An increase in diversity of habi!ats, plants, and animals would result from the restoration activities. Wetland habitats would produce more small food organisms (primarily zooplankton) for larval endangered fishes that should increase their survival. The acquisition and restoration of floodplain habitats would also decrease flooding that could cause property damage by spreading the flood waters and dissipating the energy associated with flooding. H. Historic and Cultural Resources The Ute Indians inhabited the Grand Valley prior to 1881 and Mesa County was part of the Ute Reservation established by a 1868 treaty (Mesa County Planning Commission 1996). Various artifacts from the Ute Indians still remain in the Grand Valley. Floodplains along the Middle Green River were occupied by Ute Indians and the cultural sequence of occupation in this region was described by the Bureau of Land Management (1995). Historic or cultural resources in floodplains have likely been removed during seasonal flooding by high streamflows or covered by alluvial deposition. Alternative 1 - No Action Impacts to historic or cultural resources would be expected to continue as in the past as a result of floodplain land use activities and seasonal flooding/deposition. Alternative 3 - Protection and Enhancement of Flooded Bottomlands by Acquisition For floodplain lands that are acquired, historic or cultural resources will not be affected. On properties where habitat enhancements are warranted, Class 3 cultural and historical surveys will be conducted prior to any excavation and subsequent flooding. If, during excavation, any cultural resources are discovered, then activities will cease and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) will be contacted. Reclamation representatives will consult with the SHPO in both Colorado and Utah and take any necessary precautions to ensure that historic or cultural resources are not adversely affected. L Indian Trust Assets Indian trust assets are legal interests in property held in trust by the United States for the benefit of Indian tribes or individuals, or property that the United States is otherwise charged by law to protect. The United States has a trust responsibility to protect and maintain rights reserved by or granted to American Indians or Indian individuals by treaties, statutes, and executive orders. These rights are sometimes further interpreted by court decisions and regulations. This trust responsibility requires that all federal agencies take all actions reasonably necessary to protect this trust. The responsibilities of the U. S. Department of the Interior for Indian trust assets were described in Secretarial Order No. 3175, signed by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt in November, 1993. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation policy was issued in a July, 1993 memorandum from the Commissioner and NEP A Handbook procedures were issued by the Commissioner in November, 1993. When impacts cannot be avoided, the Bureau will provide appropriate mitigation or compensation. Pursuant to these guidelines and policies it has been determined that no Indian trust assets are known to occur within the floodplain of the proposed project III - 9