Windy Gap Firming Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement August 2008

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WINDY GAP FIRMING PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Temporary effects to vegetation and wetlands from construction of pipelines, staging areas, and other short- term disturbances would be revegetated following construction. • The enlargement of Ralph Price Reservoir under the No Action alternative would result in a loss of about 77 acres of forest vegetation. Construction of Chimney Hollow Reservoir would permanently impact about 790 acres of shrublands, grasslands, and forest vegetation. The other alternatives would impact about 1,000 to 1,100 acres of mixed vegetation types. • All of the alternatives would result in permanent and temporary impacts to wetlands and other waters (Table ES -7). Of the action alternatives, the Proposed Action would have the least impact to wetlands and waters. .,- M L, f ..ff — +. +n wailandr, and ether waters by alternative. Iable 1.3- /. ourk1111 Wetlands and —Y 01 U.11— ..., Alternative 1 No Action ,,........» -- - -- - - - Alternative 2 Proposed Action - - - - Alternative 3 Alternative 4* Alternative 5' Other Waters Acres 0.4 2.9 30.3 9.4-20.0 15.7 – 28.3 Permanent — 0.2 5.2 3.9-6.9 4.3-7.3 porary LETOTAL 0.4 3.1 35.5 13.3-26.9 20.0-35.6 _i.__.,_lt /rR..,,lloY t--I. R -Pmmir 'The range in wetland impacts is due to uncertainty about the wetianus ptnsoul at <ii� ,..,. �•.. _ =..•�W. - -�- __ site. Access to this site was for field survey was denied by the landowners. Wildlife The potential effects on wildlife resources were assessed using information on known populations or suitable habitat. Permanent impacts to wildlife habitat could occur in areas that would be inundated or permanently disturbed by project features such as the dam, access roads, and pump stations. Temporary impacts to habitat from pipelines and staging areas would be reclaimed following construction. Effects to waterbirds and aquatic and riverine mammals from changes in hydrology were based on potential effects to riparian vegetation. • Enlargement of Ralph Price Reservoir would result in the loss of 77 acres of elk and mule deer winter range and habitat for other terrestrial wildlife species. • Construction of Chimney Hollow Reservoir under the Proposed Action would result in the loss of 810 acres of elk winter range, mule deer winter range and concentration area, and black bear foraging area. A slightly smaller Chimney Hollow Reservoir under Alternatives 3 and 4 would impact similar habitats on about 675 acres. Habitat for migratory birds, northern leopard frog, common garter snake, and other species would be impacted at Chimney Hollow Reservoir. • Construction of Jasper East Reservoir would impact about 480 acres of moose and mule deer summer range and 24 acres of elk winter range. Elk movement in the area could shift as a result of the new reservoir. • Construction of Rockwell Reservoir would affect about 312 acres of summer range for moose and mule deer and 73 acres of elk winter range. About 300 acres of greater sage grouse habitat would be lost. ES -15