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13 CHAPTER IV. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION General During the development of the alternatives for selenium remediation for the Orchard Mesa Wildlife Area, public scoping was conducted. A pre-stamped comment card was provided with the 74 copies of the newsletter that were distributed. Five responses were received. Following the development of a final array of alternatives, the newsletter concept was again used to distribute the information and obtain input. The local irrigation district manager and others agreed this would be appropriate based on the level of stakeholder interest. The comment cards returned by the stakeholders showed Alternative 2 as the most favored but no action was a close second. There was also a consensus that we should not do any harm to the OMW A. The comments were generally taken to be an encouragement to do the minimum necessary to remove the hazard and make sure we do not create any new hazards or spend too many dollars on something that the river will reclaim. This all fit with the ID Team's objectives. Following the NIWQP's decision on whether to implement the Preferred Alternative, the stakeholders were informed of the decision and the plan for implementation, again by newsletter. Throughout the process, stakeholder input has been vital in helping the team make appropriate decisions. Interagency consultation included Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, Service, Army Corp of Engineers, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Mesa Land Trust. Review Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment In September 2000, the draft EA was distributed to agencies, organizations, and interested parties listed in Appendix C. Four comments were received. Comments from the Service and the Recovery Program concurred with the draft EA and supported the implementation of the Preferred Alternative. Comments from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) questioned proposed action affects on potential suitable habitat for the Southwestern willow flycatcher. The proposed action will disturb very few willows during construction. The pipeline will bisect a small stand of willows adjacent to the Colorado River. These willows should regenerate after construction. The flushing channel will remove some tamarisk. The OMW A will continue to be managed as a wildlife area and over time, enhance Southwestern willow flycatcher habitat. The CDOW comment also inquired if there was any indication of the presence of bullfrogs and leopard frogs within the OMW A. Leopard frogs and bullfrogs were documented in the middle drainage during the 1997 breeding bird survey and both species continue to use the Orchard Mesa Wildlife Area.