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· 00,0921 . . 2. Recommend revised mitigation measures which relate to the effects of the project division on wildlife. The predicted effects caused by the project division on Blanca WHA were discussed. This habitat area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM personnel were primarily concerned with the effects of the conveyance channel crossing the east portion of Blanca WHA. These effects involve disrup- tion of dike works for artesian-fed ponds, of flows reaching the ponds from artesian wells located east of the conveyance channel alinement, and of wildlife management activities on the ISO-acre area east of the channel. No infiltration tests have been performed on the "Mallard-4" pond east of the channnel; until infiltration tests for this pond are obtained, the meeting consensus was that an adverse effect to the pond would be assumed as a result of lowering the water table. The BLM personnel proposed that conveyance channel effects to Blanca WHA be considered based on BLM's planned improvements for 1985, when the conveyance channel in Closed Basin Stage 1-2 is scheduled for completion. This office con- siders that appraisal of the affected improvements on Blanca WHA should be made at an earlier time when appraisals are made for all land acquisitions along the Stage 1-2 conveyance channel. The BLM personnel preferred an easement-type of acquisition for the channel right-of-way across Blanca WHA rather than a withdrawal acquisition. The BLM personnel further proposed that the conveyance channel alinement be modified so as to not cross Blanca WHA. Water and Power personnel agreed to reevaluate alternative channel alinements (using new topographic data), to investigate modifications to dike works and means of rerouting artesian water to the diked ponds, to consider performing a winter season infiltration test at the "Mallard-4" pond, and to meet with the BLM to resolve site-specific issues concerning Blanca WHA. The FWS is to be the lead agency in working with the BLM to incorpoFate any Blanca WHA mitigation into the revised mitigation plan for the entire project division. A meeting for these purposes has been scheduled for December 16, 1980, in Alamosa, Colorado. The FWS personnel will attempt to meet the February I, 1981, date for preparing revised mitigation and enhancement plans. Based on discussions with the Field Solicitor in Amarillo, Texas, this office anticipates that implementation of revised mitigation plans will require concurrence from Congressional committees.