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Peat extraction affects the hydrology of a peatland in <br />several ways. First, drainage lowers the peatland water table <br />and results in oxidation of peat sediments. Second, excavation <br />removes the upper, more porous material which is the most active <br />in water storage and pollutant trapping. Water quality analysis <br />conducted on peatlands in the South Park area indicate that <br />exceedence of state water quality standards can occur after <br />excavation. The capacity of the peatland to store and slowly <br />discharge storm water is also known to decrease after excavation. <br />This coupled with potential changes in evaporation rates, could <br />impact downstream water relations. <br />Impacts to plant and animal species primarily result from <br />the destruction of habitat which occurs when vegetation is <br />removed from the site. Drainage may also cause changes in <br />species composition within the surrounding upland area, <br />especially if drainage is extensive. Preservation appears to be <br />the only means of eliminating these impacts. <br />Presently, regulation of peat extraction is divided between <br />federal, state, and local authorities. Only in the case of a few <br />local ordinances is peat extraction directly regulated. At both <br />the federal and state levels, as in most local jurisdictions, <br />peat extraction is only indirectly regulated through zoning or <br />water quality legislation. To be fully effective, regulation of <br />peat extraction may require a specific designation under the <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act (C.R.S. 34 -32 -101 et seq., as <br />amended), or the adoption of other legislation which would <br />directly regulate peatland activities. <br />V <br />