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<br />-35- <br /> <br />A major reduction in the number of mule deer in the project vicinity <br />will also be necessary in order to keep deer depredations no worse <br />~ than they already are--after the increase in agricultural acreage <br />resulting from the project. Although we do not have an estimate <br />of the total number of deer using project lands and adjacent lands <br />~ in both States throughout the year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department <br />believes a reduction of at least 1,700 head will be necessary in that <br />State. This will represent a decrease of 40 percent in the number of <br />~ deer which now winter on the Wyoming side of the project area. The <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife believes they will also have to reduce <br />the wintering deer herd in the project vicinity by 600 animals. Un- <br />~ fortunately, the State fish and game agencies and the Fish and Wildlife <br />Service have not been able to develop any practical measures that could <br />preclude the reduction of this interstate deer herd, nor has it been <br />~ possible to develop satisfactory measures to compensate for the loss. <br />The loss of critical antelope winter range due to the conversion of <br />~ sagebrush to irrigated cropland will have a significant adverse impact <br />on Colorado's antelope population. In addition, the remaining blocks <br />of undeveloped land below the 6,500-foot contour that will be interspersed <br />~ with the newly irrigated lands will also lose much value for antelope <br />because of increased human activity nearby and increased livestock <br /> <br /> <br />