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<br />C~.;;u37 <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/MITIGATION <br /> <br />~ <br />\ <br /> <br />Constraints that would limit the project include physical, statutory, and <br />,institutional limitations, and also environmental factors discussed in greater <br />detail in the EA. One potential environmental problem associated with <br />salinity reduction proposals for the area is the potential loss of irrigation- <br />supported wetlands resulting from changes in existing water use practices. <br />Potential wetland losses are of concern because of their substantial value to <br />a wide variety of wildlife species, and because of wetlands protection's <br />status as a nationally mandated concern. Saline water often supports <br />wetlands and riparian vegetation, and it can contribute to aquatic habitat <br />that would not normally occur in this arid environment. Water <br />conservation reduces deep percolation and the occurrence of <br />wetland/riparian vegetation supported by irrigation water. <br /> <br />The concept of improving irrigation efficiency to reduce the salt load <br />(improved water quality) carried to the Colorado River presents a conflict <br />with the environmental values of protecting irrigation-induced wetlands, <br />riparian vegetation, and aquatic habitats. The Colorado River Basin , <br />Salinity Control Act (P.L. 93-320, as amended) establishes water quality <br />improvement (salt reduction) as the objective. A purpose of this document <br />is to present the environmental effects involved in improving water quality <br />while reducing the amount of water that supports irrigation- and seepage- <br />induced wetlands, riparian vegetation, and fIsheries and, at the same time, <br />attempting to minimize adverse impacts. <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br />Management practices would be employed during construction activities to <br />minimize environmental effects, and would be included in construction <br />specifications. Construction activities would be timed and coordinated with <br />the District to minimize interruptions of Project water deliveries to the <br />maximum extent practicable. All construction-disturbed areas would be <br />restored and revegetated to as near their pre-construction condition as <br />possible. <br /> <br />Artificially-maintained wetland and riparian vegetation adjacent to Project <br />canals and laterals, outside of the canal structure, would be monitored by <br />Reclamation (in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service) prior to, <br />during, and after construction to evaluate project effects on these areas. <br /> <br />Reclamation would investigate and implement appropriate and practicable <br />mitigation measures for adverse effects to wetland and riparian vegetation <br />artificially maintained by Project water outside the canal and lateral <br />pipeline, resulting from construction activities and canal lining/pipeline <br />installation. <br /> <br />Cultural resource surveys would be conducted in all project areas where <br />there is no existing inventory or the information requires clarification. <br />Reclamation would monitor the progress of the remedial actions undertaken <br />by the Bloomfield Refmery and assess the effects on the Main Canal, as <br />noted in the EA. <br /> <br />S-10 <br />