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<br /> <br />..... 000909 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />As surfaced at the meeting, available data analyses still do not provide a means <br />to accurately quantify the effects of the project division on wildlife associated <br />with wetland's, However, hydrological trends in the San Luis Valley, coupled <br />with plan modifications since the 1972 authorization, show that the full develop- <br />ment of Mishak National Wildlife Refuge (13,800 acres; 12,500 acre-feet of water <br />per year) and the full delivery of 5,300 acre-feet of water per year to Alamosa <br />National Wildlife Refuge would exceed mitigation requirements, Also, a mix of <br />smaller mitigation features appears to be more beneficial than a mitigation plan <br />which includes only Alamosa and Mishak National. Wildlife Refuges. Constraints <br />on the availability of water, energy, and funding were discussed. <br /> <br />Accordingly, during the afternoon meeting session, mitigation alternatives were <br />proposed for study, These alternatives are also enclosed as a listing. <br />Congressional concurr€::nce would be required on any entirely new mitigation plan <br />developed after reevaluation of effects. Consultation with the Colorado State <br />Engineer would be useful in interpreting the legal feasibility of water <br />exchanges or water-use changes incorporated in some of the proposed mitigation <br />alternatives, This office will request such consultation. <br /> <br />The FWS representatives agreed to pursue reevaluation of project division <br />effects and recommend mitigation measures. These findings would be documented <br />in the planning-aid memorandum provided for in our joint Memoraudum of Agreement <br />No. 0-07-50-X0762D, which expires on September 30, 1980, Water and Power will <br />continue on-going data collection programs relative to predicting the effects of <br />the project division (e.g., wetlands and vegetation monitoring at long-term pump <br />test site TW3-l) and will assist the FWS in its reevaluation. <br /> <br />I am appreciative of the contributions made at the meeting toward furtheriug the <br />Closed Basin Division, <br /> <br />d~~ <br /> <br />En'closures <br /> <br />cc: Listed agencies and individuals on enclosure <br />(w/c enclosures) <br /> <br />