Final Environmental Assessment for the Tamarack Managed Groundwater Recharge Project

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is the primary form of public use on both properties. Current demands for public hunting on the TRSWA are such that a reservation system that limits hunter numbers and locations has been adopted. A small pond on TRSWA has historically been stocked by the CDOW with warm -water and cold -water Sportfish to provide fishing opportunities during the spring and summer. Non - consumptive wildlife recreationists use the SWAs mainly in the spring and fall to watch and photograph wildlife, especially bird species. LAND USE Prior to CDOW ownership (1949) , TRSWA was used for grazing and farming operations. Today, approximately 650 acres of irrigated farmland is still being used to produce small- grain food plots or used to support trees, shrubs, and grasses for wildlife habitat. South of U.S. Interstate 76, approximately 1000 acres of short grass prairie have been interseeded with warm season grasses to provide nesting and brood cover for greater prairie chickens. Between the main access road and the interstate, five ponds have been constructed to provide habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. Both SWAs are used and managed primarily for wildlife habitat and wildlife. There are no future plans to change from the current uses of the properties. There are no Prime or Unique Farmland on the TRSWA or PESWA. A copy of the NRCS clearance for prime and unique farmlands is included in Appendix D. FLOOD PLAINS AND WETLANDS The Army Corps of Engineers delineated the floodplain for the South Platte River in Logan and Sedgwick Counties in June of 1977. The floodplain width in the vicinity of the TRSWA is approximately 11,200 feet wide with a channel capacity at the 100 year flood stage of 70,000 cfs. In May of 1998 representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers and CDOW toured the project locations to determine if there were any wetlands within the project boundaries. No wetlands were identified on the TRSWA within the project boundaries. There were wetlands identified on the PESWA. See Appendix E. CULTURAL RESOURCES An archaeological survey of TRSWA and PESWA was conducted by Centennial Archaeology, Inc. in October of 1997. (Appendix G) The survey included the sites of 41 proposed ponds, 11 well locations, and 10.51 miles of pipeline and /or power line right -of- ways. Three historic sites were recorded: no prehistoric materials were found. The two sites at the TRSWA consisted of segments of the Overland Trail and Tamarack Ditch. The single site at PESWA was a segment of an unidentified ditch. The conclusion of the inventory was the project would not have any impacts on the identified sites and therefore recommended clearance for all water control facilities. 11