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others, <br />P. 1 ]. <br />been addressed through ESA Section 7 consultations with the USFWS." [VM Plan, <br />uch statements ignore the definition of "new water - related activity" just quoted, the <br />clear i ort of the agreement milestone, and the DEIS definition of "consumptive use," which <br />means ` he amount of water taken from a stream system that is lost to the system, usually <br />through conversion to crops or through evaporation and evapotranspiration." (DEIS, p. 3 -16 n. <br />91.3 Th Forest Service's own consultants have told the agency: <br />n the projection of the adjusted [North Platte basin National Forest] stand <br />)nditions to 2017, the simulated flow decreased to 9.7 area inches, indicating a <br />3 area inch decline will occur as the result of additional re -growth for all species <br />cluding spruce -fir during the period 1997 to 2017. Flow would be slightly <br />'eater (9.8 inches) if spruce -fir are not adjusted. We simulated that water yield at <br />.e time existing stands all reach maximum hydrologic utilization will be 9.1 area <br />.ches of water yield indicating a nearly 0.6 inch additional decrease in flow could <br />;cur in the future. The simulated decrease inflow, as the result of increased <br />and density from 1997 to 2017, is approximately 27, 000 acre-feet of water.... <br />are two significant points that can be made from the results of the historical <br />analysis. First, average water yield is declining as vegetation density <br />ases over time. Water that may have been available for appropriation when <br />�ments and compacts were made in the past may not be available to meet <br />commitments today .... Also, current levels ofstream flow may not be <br />e into the future and subject to further declines, at least for the next 30 to SO <br />[2003 T oendle Report, p. 12 (emphasis added)]. In other words, increasing density of forest <br />vegetati n since July 1, 1997 is projected to cause a water depletion of up to 27,000 acre -feet per <br />year by 017, and up to an additional 54,000 acre -feet per year thereafter, from National Forest <br />lands in the North Platte basin alone. Additional depletions from National Forest lands in the <br />South P atte basin have yet to be quantified. Because such significant depletions will occur <br />mostly r entirely in May and June — months deemed critical to the species according to <br />USFW the Forest Service must address the impacts of these depletions in the Federal <br />Depleti ns Plan and the EIS should disclose this concern. <br />he Forest Service's consultants have identified smaller water accretions that may accrue <br />to the N rth Platte basin by 2017 as a result of recent and likely future vegetation management <br />3 ee also MBNF Plan FEIS App. B, p. B -101 ( "Management activities such as land use <br />authoriza ons for water development facilities and changes in vegetative cover influence the quantity and <br />timing of treamflows.... Wildfire, insects and disease are natural processes that affect the timing and <br />quantity streamflow, and may be expected to vary by alternative due to management prescriptions for the <br />Forest. ") Emphasis added.). <br />-16- <br />