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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />sinks SO that short-term fluctuations in waler quality which are characteristic of natural riverine systems <br />are regula!ed (Pens 1984). Reservoirs can be very efficient nutrient traps. For example, Schrieber and <br />Ross (1979) reported a 50 percem reduction in mean inflow concentrations of orthophosphate and a <br />four-fold reduction in the total suspended sediment phosphorus between the inflow and outflow on <br />Callahan Reservoir, Missouri. High value wetlands also function as efficient nutrient traps. However, due <br />to the poor quality of the Muddy Creek wetlands, nutrient retention is minimal and a reservoir would <br />function as a more efficient nutrient sink. These processes indicate that the Muddy Creek Reservoir's <br />capacity for nutrient retention will greatly exceed the capacity of the existing wetlands. <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />Food Chain Support: It is very difficult to compare these functional values for a wetland in poor <br />condition with a reservoir since both support very different food links, chains, and webs. tt is very likely <br />that the reservoir will offer greater but different value than the wetlands in poor condition. <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />Wildlife and Fish Habl1at: The aquatic biology section of the SDEIS (USDI/USDA 1988) establishes <br />that the existing fishery of Muddy Creek is poor to non-existent. Similarly, HEP studies indicated a poor <br />value in terms of wildlife habitat provided by these wetlands. However, the poor value of habitat over <br />the area to be inundated adds up to a substantial quantity of habitat units that will be lost with wetland <br />inundation. The reservoir will not replace or substitute for these units. Therefore, a reduction and loss <br />of this value will occur with reservoir construction and operation. However, the reservoir will provide a <br />large area of open water habitat type. <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />Herl1aae and Recreation Values: Wetlands are relatively rare and unique in the region. The contrast <br />in line, form, color, and texture with the surrounding upland vegetation provides a visually pleasing <br />and interesting landscape which most people value. In addition, many people enjoy and appreciate <br />wetlands as unique biological and physical systems. Further, a major value of wetlands lies in the <br />passive and active recreation opportunities they offer such as boating and watertowl hunting. <br />Unfortunately, the poor condition of the Muddy Creek wetlands greatly reduces their heritage value <br />potential. Reservoirs also provide visually pleasing and interesting landscapes due to similar contrasts. <br />The reservoir will provide substantially greater recreation opportunities in terms of fishing, sight seeing, <br />boating, etc. Therefore, the heritage and recreation value provided by the Muddy Creek Reservoir will <br />greatly exceed the value provided by the existing wetlands. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />In summwy, the only functional value losses due to wetland inundation relates to wildlife habitat The <br />reservoir will either replace in equivalence or in excess the other functional values associated with the <br />existing Muddy Creek wetlands. <br /> <br />As noted above, providing habitat for various species of wildlife is one of the important values of <br />wetlands. Quantifying losses of wildlife habitat values within the project area wetlands was <br />accomplished using HEP. A summary of impacts to wetland wildlife habitat based on habitat units <br />calculated from the HEP analysis is presented in Table 4. <br /> <br />Evaluation species used to assess wetland habitat values associated with the proposed project <br />included the beaver, yellow warbler, and elk. At the time the HEP project was conducted (1986 and <br />1987), the HEP team (BIO/WEST, CDOW, BLM, USFWS. USFS. BLM, EPA, COE and Olhersl found fhal <br />these species models suited the Muddy Creek project and mitigation areas. The beaver and yellow <br />warbler models were readily suited for modeling the willow/riparian types of wetland habitats presern <br />on the proposed project and mitigation area Consequently, the habitat values derived from the use <br />of these models allowed an accurate assessment of potential impacts and management actions <br />needed to mitigate these impacts. The elk model was designed to model montane habitats that <br />include wetlands as a feature of the habitat Adjustment and recalculation of the elk model was <br /> <br />7 <br />