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CHAPTER III ALTERNATIVES <br />system and dams. A construction material site plan would be developed <br />for each area. No new access roads would be constructed on public <br />lands, and existing access roads would be maintained in good condition. <br />Topsoil would be stripped to a depth of 4 to 6 inches and stockpiled at <br />the construction material sites. Buffer zones between these sites and <br />washes would be established in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Man- <br />agement, and drainage systems would not be blocked. Following use of <br />the areas, the ground would be sloped to conform to natural contours, <br />topsoil would be returned, and the area would be reseeded. Seeding would <br />be done in the fall and would include species such as Galleta grass, <br />Indian ricegrass, shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Castle Valley clover <br />saltbush, and Canbar Canby bluegrass. Because most of the areas are on <br />land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, that agency would <br />stipulate conditions for the landscaping and reseeding to be accomplished <br />by the Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau <br />of Land Management have signed a cooperative agreement that stipulates <br />reseeding where necessary. The areas would be considered to be satis- <br />factorily reclaimed when (1) soil erosion resulting from the operations <br />has been stabilized, (2) a vegetative cover at least equal to that pres- <br />ent before disturbance has been established, and (3) a plant species <br />composition at least as desirable as that present before disturbance has <br />been established. <br />Rights-of-way <br />Government Highline Canal and Lateral System <br />Reclamation's rights-of-way include easements and withdrawn and fee <br />land for the canal and laterals under the Government Highline Canal ,and <br />lateral system. Rights-of-way for existing canals and associated struc- <br />tures constructed by the United States were either obtained under the <br />Congressional Act of August 30, 1890, were purchased outright, or were <br />withdrawn from the public domain. In addition to rights established by <br />this act, Reclamation holds reserved rights-of-way for the laterals, <br />granted by terms specified in the water stock subscriptions issued by <br />the Grand Valley Water Users Association. When these subscriptions were <br />signed, owners granted to Reclamation the rights-of-way needed for the <br />construction and operation and maintenance of irrigation works. <br />No additional rights-of-way would be obtained for the 38 miles of <br />the Government Highline Canal except where possible realignment would be <br />necessary. In general, the installation of the proposed membrane lining <br />would be contained within the widths presently used. The average width <br />of the Government Highline Canal right-of-way, which includes the entire <br />area needed to perform operation and maintenance work, is presently es- <br />timated at 125 feet and encompasses approximately 606 acres. <br />A large portion of the area needed for the proposed detention dike <br />and ditch systems and the moss and debris removal structures would be <br />satisfied by a portion of the canal right-of-way presently used. Addi- <br />tional land would be obtained where the detention dikes, ditches, and <br />dams are not constructed near the canal; the additional acreage necessary <br />31 <br />