PROJ00221

• Contract/PO #: FS0017X
• Contractor Name: Ouray, City of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: Ouray
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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3.0 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences

3.1 Introduction. This section briefly describes the existing environmental
resources in the area that would be affected if the proposed project is
implemented. Only those environmental resources that are relevant to the decision
to be made are discussed and not the entire existing environment. This section
also analyzes the potential adverse effects due to the proposed project.

3.2 Environmental Resources Eliminated from Detailed Analysis. Due to the
remoteness of the project site and nature of the work, the rehabilitation alternative
would have no effects on climate, geology, socioeconomics, recreation, and
esthetics. Effects to several environmental resources were examined and found to
be minor and less than significant. Below is a list of these resources and the
reasons why they were eliminated from detailed analysis.

3.2.1 Fisheries. Skyrocket Creek is an intermittent stream whose peak
flows coincide w~ rain and snowmelt. Duri,ng the months of August and
September f/l.rfo"W in the creek is reduced to a small trickle of water, which is not
capable of sustaining a population of any fish species. In addition, there are no
streams in the staging area. Therefore, the proposed project would not adversely
affect fisheries in Skyrocket Creek or the staging area.

3.2.2 Water Quality. Skyrocket Creek is an intermittent stream and has
peak flows in May and June. This project is of short duration (2 to 3 weeks) and
would be accomplished during the dry months of August or September.
Therefore, the pr~ os~ ~ject wo Id ~t ~~r~1Iy ltf!~t way;,r" ualil,Lin " ,'-^ IL"7......,,
Skyrocket Creek. ';,)
PfJ:~~~~-~~ W~U..I'~'~1_~!.ES1YElr.seJYi,9Jte~!_,^-,_~!~r__.~,~~_~ty .!~_~!2e staging area. , :J
{~,_~~ ...~r-~(..A.. tN., );p "^-....~~~ \\.-....vt.~.--- j'J.-v.., ........-~ s.,. ~ ,j"h..A
-- ~ 3.2.3 Air Quality. With only a few small communities and no major
industrial development, the air quality in Ouray County is considered to be
excellent. According to the Colorado Air Quality Commission, which monitors air
quality conditions in the State, Ouray County is currently in attainment for all
Federal and State criteria pollutants. These conditions are not expected to change
in the future.

Short term, temporary effects to air quality are expected as a result of the
streambank rehabilitation. Small amounts of emissions from construction
equipment and vehicles are considered unavoidable, but would be temporary.
Short-term construction effects on air quality would include dust generation from
both the removal of the existing diversion and the use of the helicopter. To
reduce potential dust generation, watering of the staging site would occur. No
long-term increase in air pollution is expected from the project (Leplante, 1998).

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