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. . I I l I- I OjJ~J7 and water quality of several nearby springs; and negative impacts to potential wetlands wtthin the resource area. Also identified in the report are potential disruptions to Kruzen Springs water pipeline flow and qualtty, which may be indirectly caused by two pipeline crossing points and landslides that may be activated or reactivated during pipeline excavation and/or construction. The FEIS (page 164) describes a cooperative management plan that was being developed for the west side of Grand Mesa. This plan has evolved over the past five years, and is known as the Grand Mesa Slopes Special Management Area Management Plan. A major focus of this plan is management of watersheds, public access, recreational activtties, and wildlife habitat. TransColorado must obtain a Watershed Permtt from the Town of Palisade to construct across this watershed. TransColorado filed tts permtt application wtth Palisade during December 1997, and is responding to review comments. TransColorado must also obtain a Special Use Permtt from the City of Grand Junction to cross City lands on Grand Mesa. SOILS Major constraint factors affecting revegetation and erosion susceptibiltty were described in the FEIS (pages 167 and 168). The major factors affecting soil stability and revegetation potential in this region included steep slopes, shaliow and rocky soils, and saline/alkaline soils. Available soils information from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS 1997) was reviewed for the proposed route changes, realignments, and TUAs to determine the relative extent of soil constraints that could affect soil stability and reclamation. The major factors affecting soil constraints for the proposed actions remain the same as those described in the FEIS. Estimates of the extent of rocky /shaliow soils and steep slopes for the Proposed Action route changes and the corresponding ROD route segments are presented in Table 3-2. The majority of the route changes are located on low to moderately rocky soils on gentle slopes. Exceptions include the Watson Creek and La Plata Route Changes. The total surface area required for TUAs is estimated to be 366 acres. Of this total, approximately 66 acres would be located in areas with bedrock exposure, or with very stony or cobbly-soil profiles. The most extensive areas with surface rock constraints include the Gilman Gulch descent from the Roan Plateau (MP 33-33.5), which would require approximately 13 acres of TUAs over exposed bedrock; a section of the route in the vicinity of Mud Spring and Calian Draw south of Norwood (MP 166-173), which would require approximately 15 acres of TUAs over shallow rock; and the San Miguel Canyon (MP 154.5-156.5), which would require approximately 8 acres of TUAs over sandstone outcrops and loose rock. TUAs are proposed on approximately 20 acres of moderately saline soils between MP 85 and 109. 55