Environmental Assessment for the Tamarack Groundwater Recharge Project

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fish populations. Recent aquatic inventory studies conducted by the DOW identified twenty -four different fish species inhabiting the lower sections of the South Platt e River in Colorado. Plains killifish were the most abundant species captured followed b y sand shiner, fathead minnow, and creek chub. Common species included, bi mouth brook stickleback, and red shinner. Although the natural aquatic habitats ass shipper, the lower South Platte River cannot support viable populations of game fish sedated with introduced species occur as the result of human stocking efforts and impoundments. several include, carp, bluegill, and largemouth bass. See Appendix C for a complete list of fish These species inhabiting the study area. P t of fish Riparian plant communities like those found on the TRSWA and PESWA support of the most productive and diversified ecosystems in the western United States. I Co some lorado, , over one third of all vertebrate species that inhabit the state have been recorded in river Co and stream riparian zones. Although the project area does not include the river bo habitat, most of the species found in the riparian areas would also range into the ttom sites. Some common species associated with the upland sites of the proposed project Pr °sect include, mule deer, white - tailed deer, wild turkey, cottontail rabbit, coyote western turtle, lesser earless lizard, bullsnake, meadow lark, morning dove, bobwhite quail, box necked pheasant, black - billed magpie, and American Kestrel. For a completevertebrate a ring - species list see Appendix C. ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES State Species of Special Concern The following native fishes have been identified by the state of Colorado as either threatened or endangered: the suckermouth minnow, northern redbellied dace c ommon shiner, lake chub, brassy minnow, and plains minnow. Of these species, histori cal records c indicate that the suckermouth minnow, brassy minnow, and plains minnow in lower South Platte River in the vicinity of TRSWA and PESWA in much greater the g ter nu than at present. Reasons for the decrease are unknown, but degraded water altered water flows, and pollution may be factors in declining distribution and quality, of these species. The proposed project is among the initial recovery strategies currently abundance being reviewed by the CDOW for those three species. g urrently From their Biological and Conservation Data System, the Colorado Natural Program identified four rare migrant bird species whose ranges include the TRSWA Heritage PESWA (Appendix H.) The eastern bluebird and black - billed cuckoo are co and imperiled because of rarity, Bell's vireo is deemed extremely rare, and the u 1 sidered sandpiper is classified as vulnerable. p and