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Base-flow augmentation also will serve to mitigate potential adverse impacts to water quality that <br />might occur due to reduced stream flows. Elkhead was selected over other structural water supply <br />alternatives, in part, to minimize impacts to peak flows and protect water-related recreation at other <br />reservoirs. <br />As described above, some of these mitigation measures, in turn, have potential adverse effects on <br />other resources (e.g., nonnative sport fisheries). However, every effort has and will continue to be <br />made to preserve the fishery resource by translocating sport fish removed from the river to local <br />ponds and reservoirs with public access. As a result of the proposed action, more fish would be <br />available to a greater number of people than would be available if these fish were left in the river. <br />The proposal is not expected to have any significant adverse effects on wetlands and floodplains, <br />pursuant to Executive Orders 11990 and 11988, because the frequency, magnitude and duration of <br />peak flows will not be significantly altered, particularly during wetter years that inundate floodplain <br />terraces and promote regeneration of cottonwoods and willows. Moreover, invasion by nonnative <br />tamarisk will be monitored during the course of other habitat monitoring and management activities, <br />providing timely information to county noxious weed specialists and state and federal land managers <br />so they may take appropriate action to stem the spread of this aggressive invader. <br />Many wetlands along the Yampa River are maintained by irrigation return flows. The proposed <br />action will allow traditional flood irrigation practices to continue, thereby sustaining these valuable <br />habitats. However, wetlands and riparian vegetation will be impacted downstream from Elkhead <br />Dam and within the enlarged reservoir, particularly the delta area created by the existing reservoir. <br />In its application for a Clean Water Act 0404 permit (USACE 2004; Roehm 2004, Appendix J), the <br />CRWCD described a number of wetland mitigation sites that it proposes to develop in advance of <br />expected wetland impacts. The Corps of Engineers' NEPA document for the �404 permit will <br />provide a fuller description of both the impacts and proposed mitigation. <br />The proposal is not expected to have any significant effects on the human environment because it <br />will enable the Yampa Valley to maintain its mostly agrarian lifestyle, while allowing for continued <br />local growth in other economic sectors. Tourism and the service industry tourism has created are <br />expected to continue to flourish, especially in Routt County. However, the proposed action is <br />neutral with respect to population growth, because agriculture currently consumes the most water <br />and, therefore, domestic water supply potentially could increase without any net increase in <br />depletions, if agricultural land were retired from irrigation. Moreover, electric utilities are expected <br />to experience the greatest growth in water consumption due to the large quantities of water needed to <br />cool two coal-fired electric generating stations at Hayden and Craig. These two facilities contribute <br />significantly to the economies of these two communities. <br />Finding of No Significant Impact 6 <br />