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the otherwise poor visual quality of the proj~ct site. Visual impacts will be created with construction of a proposed setback levee, in particular for the residents of the Riverside area. The impacts will be most evident during the actual construction of the levee due to construction activity. Long-term visual impacts will persist for the life of the project due to the physical presence of the levee and floodwall. The levee-floodwall combination is expected to be about 3 feet high where the visual impact would be most significant (by Riverside Park), to about 7 feet high where the impact would be less significant, along the tieback levee. These impacts could be reduced with development of a vegetative barrier or buffer between the Riverside area and the levee. The levee side slopes could be considered for shallow rooted vegetative cover which would not compromise levee integrity. However, these enhancements, along with enhancements for the very narrow setback area between the levee and the riverbank, will be considered by the sponsor during the development of this portion of the riverfront park. Future recreational development proposed by the City of Grand Junction may provide vegetative enhancement and reduce the visual impact of the levee structure. There will not be any additional visual impact to the area if the levee is not constructed. Riparian/Wetland Habitat. A narrow fringe of riparian vegetation with an approximate width of l5 feet exists along the river. This vegetated zone is of minimal habitat value due to its position next to an existing roadway. The fringe of vegetation is too narrow to be used as a wildlife travel lane or to provide significant cover for most species because the site is dominated by tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), a species of low habitat value. The potential for impacts to the riparian/wetland zone that exists in varying widths along portions of the levee alignment are slight. The short setback nature of the levee avoids major impact to existing vegetation which consists predominantly as a fringe element along the banks of the Colorado River. It is expected that about five small trees might be affected. Dominant riparian/wetland and vegetation present along the streambank consists of cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Russian olive (Elaeaanus anaustifolia), Chinese elm (Ulmus pumila), willow (Salix sp.), and tamarisk (Tamarix sp.). Special consideration will be given any cottonwoods displaced or impacted incidental to construction activity due to their decreasing presence in local riparian/wetland plant communities which they once dominated. Tamarisk is an introduced species that has come to dominate this reach of the Colorado River. Under present flow regimes, it dominates the riparian zone and is not of any particular wildlife benefit. If revegetation of impacted vegetation occurs, this species will be eliminated from any revegetation scheme. The most valuable and productive wetlands within the project vicinity occur on the left bank of the river opposite the proposed levee. This area has experienced much less disturbance and contains a A-2 . . .