CDOW review and comments of the PRRIP Draft Environmental Impact Statement

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Page 5 -88 South Platte River This paragraph shows general predicted flow changes. Flows are generally increased in March, April, May, August, September, and October and reduced in November, December, and January. In general this flow regime may benefit many fish species and riparian plant communities. There could be impacts to wintering waterfowl and native fish if natural slough flows are reduced by pumping in late winter. These warm water sloughs provide important habitat for many species including small fish in the winter. Pages 5- 174 -177 State Listed Species and Species of Special Concern We need to recognize that use of wells for pumping in the South Platte River for recharge can have some effects on natural warm water sloughs by decreasing water volume and flows. Placement of wells near these sloughs can show adverse impacts. These wells should be placed nearer to the main channel of the river. Higher water tables from recharge in a wet meadow may be beneficial. Pages 5- 217 -228 Recreation We agree with some of this summary of impacts but there are other factors that should be considered before there is a general assumption of no impact or beneficial impact to recreation in Colorado. It should be noted that any of the alternatives that result in loss of irrigated agricultural lands or reservoir storage levels could have recreation impacts in Colorado. Loss of water from reservoirs has obvious negative impacts to fisheries. These are all fluctuating reservoirs in NE Colorado so reducing water in these lakes can cause severe fisheries impacts. Also by reducing irrigated agriculture along the river you may reduce hunting opportunity, particularly for geese and ducks that depend on these fields for winter feed. There is also the possibility of reducing populations of upland game, small game, and deer who also feed heavily in these fields, particularly in the winter. Reductions in these populations will also reduce hunting and viewing recreation. The assumption that operation of the Tamarack project will automatically provide increased recreation may also be somewhat misleading. We believe that these recharge projects can provide increased recreation if the timing of pumping is done to provide hunting habitat for waterfowl at the correct times. Pumping in September and October, as an example, increases harvest opportunity for early migrating waterfowl. Pumping in Feb and March produces almost no hunting opportunity but provides enhanced habitat. Page 5 -123 Nesting at Lake McConaughy CDOW has concerns that this plan focuses on the Lower Platte River area regarding the management actions proposed for terns and plovers. It is stated that in 2003, plover counts at Lake McConaughy were 94 pairs, 114 nests, and 194 fledglings. This is far and away higher numbers than anything reported for any other segment of the Platte River. We question why this area, along with the nearby segments of the North and South Platte Rivers are not a focal point for recovery for this species. We are concerned that the plans presented could negatively affect this population for the establishment of another. Piping plovers are a state Threatened species in Colorado and these plans could have a substantial impact on the riverine system here in Colorado.