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<br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />be expected to improve due to better flow patterns and water <br />quality. With development, habitat conditions may improve <br />between the South Canal and. the Loutzenhizer Diversion (approxi- <br />mately 7 miles) and decline between the Loutzenhizer Diversion <br />and Montrose (approximately 4 miles). Flow conditions and water <br />quality should improve downstream from Montrose, but other <br />habitat conditions may preclude development of a significant <br />fishery. <br /> <br />River flows downstream from Delta would not be affected, and <br />therefore the endangered fishes that occur in the lower Gunnison <br />and Colorado Rivers would not be affected. <br /> <br />Wildlife <br /> <br />Significant changes are not projected under the no-action <br />alternative. Land use changes in the Uncompahgre Valley may <br />gradually reduce wildlife habitat and numbers. Land management <br />plans for lands along the Gunnison River, however, provide for <br />long-term preservation of habitat. possible impacts to wildlife <br />under development alternatives include loss of habitat in <br />construction areas and loss of 12 acres of wetland. These losses <br />would be offset by a wetland replacement plan and restoration and <br />revegetation plans. Reduced flows in the Gunnison River should <br />not significantly affect wildlife resources. Increased hike-in <br />fishing, however, could lead to wildlife disturbance. Features <br />of deveiopment alternatives include deer escape ramps along the <br />AB Lateral and raptor~proofing of transmission lines to reduce <br />impacts to wildlife. <br /> <br />Endangered bald eagles are common winter residents along rivers <br />in the area, with the greatest concentrations occurring along the <br />Gunnison River. Changes in river flows and accompanying ice <br />conditions could affect use by eagles. A monitoring program has <br />been recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by <br />the Sponsors. . <br /> <br />Land Use and Recreation <br /> <br />Significant land use changes are not projected under the <br />no-action alternative. Construction of development alternatives <br />would disturb approximately 234 acres of land, the majority of <br />which is now used for livestock grazing or irrigated agriculture. <br />Approximately 127 acres of land would be needed for operation of <br />the facility. However, permanent land use changes would occur on <br />only about 30 acres. This includes 24 acres of grazing land <br />between the powerplant and the Uncompahgre River. The remaining <br /> <br />S - 8 <br />