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Potential benefits of the project to wildlife and wildlife habitat are significant. The creation <br />of up to 41 new ponds will have a tremendous positive impact on local wildlife populations. <br />Responses to habitat changes by waterfowl and shorebirds using the ponds will be most <br />noticeable, but many other species from amphibians to big game animals will also benefit <br />from the newly created wetlands. Increased alluvial flows in areas below the new pond sites <br />will enhance existing sloughs and riparian habitats for both aquatic and terrestrial species. <br />ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES <br />State Species of Special Concern <br />The proposed creation of a live stream is expected to benefit native Colorado fish species of <br />special concern inhabiting the lower South Platte drainage in Colorado through study, <br />propagation, and enhancement and maintenance of habitat. <br />Federally- Listed Threatened and Endangered Species <br />No impacts to bald eagles are anticipated because proposed construction activities are not <br />scheduled during the time they are known to be present in the project area. By creating <br />additional habitat for migrating waterfowl which is anticipated to increase the population <br />of waterfowl in the project area, the proposed project is expected to benefit bald eagles by <br />providing an increased prey base. <br />The range of the mountain plover does include the project area, but specific construction <br />sites are not habitats normally associated with mountain plovers; therefore, impacts to <br />mountain plovers from on -site work are not expected. <br />No impacts to the Eskimo curlew are anticipated because this species has not been sighted <br />in Colorado in the past 70 years and is considered by many to be extinct. <br />The proposed project will result in a small depletion to the South Platte River due to <br />evaporation off the recharge ponds. These depletions are offset by reregulating flows of the <br />South Platte River; consequently, no adverse effects to the whooping crane, piping plovers, <br />or interior least tern are expected. In fact, by providing reregulated flows to the South <br />Platte River, the proposed project is expected to help maintain critical habitat in Nebraska <br />for these species and the pallid sturgeon. <br />RECREATION <br />Anticipated impacts on wildlife related recreation on the TRSWA and PESWA are <br />positive. The creation of new wetland habitats increases the potential for both consumptive <br />and non - consumptive users to enjoy wildlife. The construction phase would be completed <br />during the summer months to avoid high use periods by the public. <br />14 <br />