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<br />. ":'"'~-, .~ <br /> <br /> <br />. ~~-""'-=~;~~'. <br /> <br />(al Resource Category 2, Defined - "Resource <br />Category 2" habitats are basically defined to be of high value for important <br />species and are "relatively scarce or becoming scarce in the ecoregions of concern <br />Replacement of these habitats should be accomplished so that no net loss of in-kinl <br />habitat value results. Replacement may involve different kinds of habitat providec <br />that the total value of the lost habitat is replaced. ': <br /> <br />Based on this criteria, replacement of the habitat value of the 8,460 acres of <br />affected wetlands in the project area would be accomplished as follows: <br /> <br />(2) Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge <br /> <br />(a) Improvement of Habitat - Improve 1,500 acres of low <br />habitat value wetlands on the northern portion of Alamosa NWR to high value wet- <br />lands with 2,300 acre-feet of water annually. <br /> <br />Improve 2,874 acres of low to mid-habitat value wetlands on the southern and <br />middle portions of Alamosa NWR to high-value wetlands with 3,000 acre-feet of <br />water annually. <br /> <br />(b) Conveyance Channel Structures - Three conveyance <br />. channel turnout structures, each with a capacity to deliver 4,500 acre-feet <br />in a 120-day period, would be provided on the Alamosa NWR. One turnout <br />structure would be located near the intersection of the conveyance channel and <br />the Chicago ditch, while a second turnout structure would be near the Mum ditch. <br />Both of these structures would divert waters from the channel by gravity. A <br />third turnout structure would be located near the intersection of the conveyance ' <br />channel and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Water diverted from this turnout I <br />would have to be pumped. <br /> <br />Some irrigation structures could be affected due to conveyance channel construc- <br />tion through Alamosa NWR. The conveyance channel would cross the Chicago and <br />Mum ditches, two smaller canals and one road in the Alamosa NWR. The two <br />ditches and two canals would be siphoned under the conveyance channel, while <br />the channel would be siphoned under the road. In addition to turnout structures <br />described above, a deep artesian well capable of delivering 800 acre-feet of , <br />water in 90 days would be provided. Artesian water rights for the deep well would <br />be transferred to Alamosa NWR after Emperious Estate lands are acquired. A canal. <br />west of the third northernmost turnout will also be provided. <br /> <br />(c) Em~erious Estate - The 2,040 acre tract of Emperious <br />Estate land would be acquired ln fee with appurtenant water rights. The existing <br />wells on the Emperious lands are estimated to be presently flowing about 1,500 <br />acre-feet/year. Approximately 800 acre-feet of artesian water rights would be <br />transferred to Alamosa NWR to mitigate project effects. Approximately 700 acre-fe <br />(year would continue to flow on the Emperious lands to maintain the resource <br />values. One artesian well with a capacity of about 2,000 gal/min would be needed' <br />to accomplish, in approximately a 3-month period, the annual delivery of 800 ' <br />acre-feet artesian water at Alamosa NWR. <br /> <br />Funds to accomplish the drilling of the well would be provided to the Fish and <br />Wildlife Service by the Bureau of Reclamation. <br /> <br />20 <br />