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:0"92339 . . 3 WI LDLI FE Wi thout the P roj ect The area of project influence on wi Idlife includes about 1,000 acres of wildlife habitat along both sides of the Rio Grande in Alamosa, Conejos, and Costilla Counties, Colorado. A few mule deer and antelope are found in the project area, but hunting for these species is minor and can be expected to remain so over the period of analysis. Pheasant, mourning dove, cottontail, jackrabbit, and chukar partridge are the upland-game species in the project area, The 12 mi les of the Rio Grande that would be channelized from the confluence of the conveyance channel to 4 mi les below the Conejos River are important for wi Idlife, This area is prime habitat be- cause of favorable mixture of marshes, wooded overflow areas, shrubs, and forbs, In addition, there are seasonal overflow lands that are important wetlands of high quality, About 1,000 acreS of upland- game and waterfowl habitat are along this reach of the Rio Grande. Without the project there would be 500 man-days of upland-game hunt- ing annually consisting of 200 man-days of pheasant hunting, 200 man-days of rabbit hunting, and 100 man-days of dove hunting. Many ducks use the area annually for nesting" resting, and feeding during fall and spring migrations. The major nesting ducks are mallards, followed by smaller populations of gadwalls, pintai Is, cinnamon teals, green-winged teals, blue-winged teals, shovelers, and baldpates. A few coots and shorebirds also nest in the area. The Rio Grande and seep areas caused by springs provide habitat for many ducks that spend the winter months in the valley. The 12-mile section of the Rio Grande from the mouth of the con- veyance channel to 4 miles downstream of Conejos River with its wetlands and river loops provides excel lent habitat for waterfowl production and good hunting. Without the project, about 750 pairs of ducks would produce 3,000 young ducks annually on 1,000 acres of habitat in this reach. Waterfowl hunting on this section of the river would amount to about 600 man-days annually, Beavers, minks, muskrats, racoons, coyotes, and foxes are common in the project area, However, little interest is shown in trapping these animals for thei r pelts and this use can be expected to remain so without the project.