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4.0 Habitat Protection Scenarios <br />For the purposes of this study, it was assumed that the habitat blocks would be developed by <br />2004 and 2006, respectively. The habitat blocks would be located in areas that do not presently <br />have a significant amount of acreage protected for target species. This assumption follows a <br />recommendation made by the FWS. While the location of these areas is not known at this time, <br />potential locations were identified by the FWS using the 1998 GIS land cover database. Habitat <br />Block A will likely be located in the eastern half of the study area while Habitat Block B will be <br />located in the western half. The locations of the habitat blocks were identified for the purposes <br />of determining potential third party impacts only and do not represent the final actions of the <br />Program <br />Under this scenario, enhancement of habitat would include the following activities. <br />Main channel habitat (280 acres) — Activities will involve (1) clearing vegetation <br />from riverine sandbars, islands and accretion lands; (2) maintaining these areas <br />free from woody vegetation by discing, and mowing. 3) restricting certain human <br />activities and land uses such as residential and commercial development, roads <br />and bridges, and summer recreational activities (picnicking, sunbathing, fireworks <br />displays, driftwood collection and other activities) that may be detrimental to <br />target species utilizing these areas. <br />Wet meadows (640 acres) — Existing wet meadows would be acquired and <br />protected or grassland and/or cropland would be converted to wet meadows. <br />Riverine Buffers (1.740 acres) — Riverine buffers would be protected to reduce <br />disturbances of target species potentially using the main channel habitat. <br />Therefore, current land uses in buffer areas will not change if it is compatible with <br />habitat protection. <br />Wet Meadow Buffers (960 acres) — These buffers would be protected to reduce <br />disturbances of target species potentially using wet meadow habitat. Therefore, <br />current land uses in buffer areas will not change if it is compatible with habitat <br />protection. <br />4.2 Scenario 2 <br />This scenario describes a plan to strategically select habitat areas near or adjacent to existing <br />protected habitat areas. This plan would be used to meet the biological needs of the target <br />species and improve existing management activities on already protected habitat. The <br />distribution of habitat lands under this scenario was based on the location of existing protected <br />areas and identified using the 1998 GIS land coverage database as provided by FWS. The <br />estimated schedule for protecting and managing these areas is as follows. <br />2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Suggestions for land/Habitat Acquisition <br />Priorities Along the Central Platte River During the First Increment Of A Future Platte River Recovery <br />Implementation Program,Draft, May 18, 1999, Denver, Colorado. <br />Hwd.40210013.doc 4-3 Third Parry Impact Study <br />Final Report <br />