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<br /> <br />A~1~+h <br />~,J,~~J~ <br />, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />for nesting, resting, and feeding during fall and spring migrations. <br />The major nesting duck is the mallard, followed by smaller popula- <br />tions of gadwalls, pintails, cinnamon teals, green-winged teals, <br />blue-winged teals, shovelers, and baldpates. A few coots and shore- <br />birds also nest in the area. <br /> <br />During the spring migration thousands of ducks and geese stop to <br />rest on the open water areas and feed on aquatic vegetation or <br />waste grain from nearby stubble fields. Many species of shorebirds <br />use the area during migrations. The Rio Grande and seep areas <br />caused by springs provide habitat for many ducks that spend the <br />winter months in the valley. <br /> <br />Waterfowl production is highly variable, being high during years of <br />good moisture conditions when production is estimated to be about <br />25,000 ducks and is reduced to about 5,000 ducks annually during <br />drought years. It is estimated that without the project an average <br />of about 4,000 nesting pairs of ducks would produce 12,000 young <br />annually in the water salvage area. <br /> <br />Waterfowl hunting in the project area is excellent with mallards <br />providing most of the take. Over the period of analysis, about <br />2,200 man-days of waterfowl hunting can be expected annually in <br />the water salvage area. In addition, because of the wide distribu- <br />tion of wet grass and open water areas and the associated wildlife, <br />about 1,000 man-days would be expended in wildlife-oriented activi- <br />ties such as wildlife photography, nature studies, and bird watching. <br /> <br />Beavers, minks, muskrats,lraocoons, coyotes, and foxes are common <br />in the project areas. However, little interest is shown in trap- <br />ping these animals for their pelts and this use can be expected <br />to remain so without the project. <br /> <br />With the Project <br /> <br />Effects of the project on big game and related hunting opportun- <br />ities would be minor. <br /> <br />Under project conditions, the native vegetation on the 100,OOO-acre <br />water-salvage area would be deprived of ground water. Most of the <br />vegetation would be reduced in vigor and the upland-game habitat in <br />the project area would be greatly reduced. There would be a small <br />amount of upland-game hunting remaining around the edge of the <br />