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area along the Upper Colorado and Gunnison rivers (Bureau of Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife Service 1997). Mineral, grazing, and water rights have been identified as Indian trust assets along the Middle Green River (Bureau of Reclamation 1997). Noting these assets, a draft of this EA was distributed to the potentially affected Tribes and BIA to solicit input and comments. Alternative 1 - No Action Ultimately the Tribes may not be interested in selling interests in any of their floodplain lands but, under the No Action alternative, they would not be given the opportunity to consider, accept, or reject any offers from the project. Alternative 3 - Protection and Enhancement of Flooded Bottomlands by Acquisition The project will acquire easements and titles, but only from willing landowners. No Tribal lands, interests, or assets will be affected unless the Tribes are interested in entering into an easement agreement that is mutually acceptable to both the Tribe and the Program. The Tribes would be compensated for any acquired interests. J. Environmental Justice Environment Justice has been established as a federal priority by Executive Order 12898, to ensure that minority and low-income groups are not disproportionately affected by Federal actions. In this Order, Indian Tribes are considered minority populations, as are Black Americans, Hispanic and Asian peoples. No areas within the proposed project area of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers are dominated by low-income or minority groups. Most of the floodplain lands along the Green River between Pariette Draw (River Mile 240) and Wyasket (River Mile 258) are Tribal lands of the Uintah and Ouray Agency. Alternative 1 - No Action I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I As in the section on Indian trust assets, the Tribes would not be offered the opportunity to be compensated for participating in the proposed project under the No Action alternative, Otherwise, no impacts related to environmental justice would be expected to occur under the No Action alternative. Alternative 3 - Protection and Enhancement of Flooded Bottomlands by Acquisition Easements, titles, or other interests would be acquired only from landowners who are interested and willing to participate in the project, and will be acquired at fair market value. No disproportionate negative impacts are anticipated that may affect low-income or minority individuals or groups through the proposed action. There were additional opportunities to provide input and comments following the release of a draft of this EA as well as news releases which described the proposed project. K. Summary of Potential Impacts Table 3-1 compares the potential impacts of the No Action Alternative and Proposed Action Alternative evaluated in this environmental assessment. The proposed/preferred action alternative is expected to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, including endangered species. Achieving sufficient progress within the Recovery Program is expected to facilitate development of water resources in Utah and Colorado. Regarding development within the floodplain, the project will consider proposals on a case-by-case basis, to determine compatibility with endangered species and their habitats. Ultimately, the proposed action is expected to result in higher quality environments that may be more appealing to tourists and potential future residents. III - 10