C153699 Feasibility Study - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Associated ManaQement Actions: Big game management action #7 . Approach: 1. Depredation on privately owned haystacks north of the reservoir will be decreased by the additional stack guards, thereby reducing animal control costs. . Expected Results: Depredation of haystacks will not increase with the proposed reservoir in place, totally mitigating this potential impact. OSTERHOUT'S MILKVETCH . SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND METHODOLOGY Potential impacts to Ostertlout's mHkvetch were based on surveys for sensitive plant species conducted during the summers of 1985, 1986. and 1987 (Grah and Neese 1986) (USDNUSDI1988). . Approximately 18 acres of Osterhout's milkvetch habitat will be inundated by the proposed Muddy Creek Reservoir. Of this, approximately 5 acres of good habitat, supporting approximately 800 to 900 individual plants and 13 acres of marginal habitat, supporting approximately 650 to 700 plants will be lost. During low frequency large flood periods when the reservoir will rise 8 to 10 feet (Le., probable maximum flood), additional plants will be inundated. This low-frequency short.term inundation at flood stage will not significantly impact the species except at the shoreline where wave action could erode soil and dislodge plants. . . In addition to loss of habitat and individuals due to inundation, the species could be impacted by perennial soil saturation in response to a rise in the water table induced by the filling of the reservoir. The magnitude and extent of such a projected impact is expected to be relatively small due to the occurrence and configuration of the water table around the reservoir margin. A small population of the species will also be directly impacted by the proposed transmission line tower relocation on the east side of Muddy Creek. Additionally, the proposed access road to the dam will cross populations mapped by the Colorado Natural Areas Program. These populations were not relocated in recent surveys (Grah and Neese 1986), but could be impacted if still in existence. . Indirect impacts to the species could include destruction of habitat and indMduals due to recreation development and increased use 01 the area This indirect impact is primarily associated with development and recreation on lands not under the administrative managemern of either the BLM or the District. The magnitude and extent of such impact cannot be determined at this time. Development of these lands will be under the dictates of county zoning ordinances. The District and the BLM will manage recreational activities along the shoreline and areas adjacent to the reservoir to preclude impact to the species. It is anticipated that the River District will contract with the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation to assume this responsibility. Management will include precluding vehicular access to areas containing the plant as well as providing developed recreation sites away from areas containing the plant. . . 30 .