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<br />". <br /> <br />Development Fund and the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, with no more than <br />15 percent of the reimbursable costs allocated to the Upper Basin Fund. <br />The reimbursable development costs would be repaid without interest within <br />a 50-year period after the development becomes operational. While present <br />studies have been predicated on a similar repayment plan for the Uinta <br />Basin Unit, final repayment criteria would be determined as part of legis- <br />lation authorizing the unit. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Environmental Considerations <br /> <br />At the present time, the major environmental consideration in the <br />Uinta Basin Unit area is the elimination of wetland habitat along the <br />cana Is. <br /> <br />Implementation of a water systems improvement plan for canal lin- <br />ing would affect the riparian (wetland) vegetation adjacent to the canals. <br />Some of this vegetation would be replaced in time by sagebrush, shadscale, <br />greasewood, or shrubgrass, because of the lack of moisture provided by <br />canal seepage. The composition of the area's wildlife would respond <br />accordingly to the change in habitat. <br /> <br />The proposed plan would include measures for wildlife mitigation. <br />These measures could include the purchase of riparian wetlands along <br />the Duchesne River for habitat replacement, and fencing or deer escape <br />structures to reduce big game losses. <br /> <br />While socioeconomic impacts of the project have not yet been fully <br />determined, they are not expected to be significant. Of the four archeo- <br />logical sites found in the area, all are located far enough from the canals <br />that they would not be impacted as long as work is confined to a 75-foot- <br />wide strip along each canal. All other sites judged to have potential for <br />inclusion in the National Register are far enough away from the canals <br />that construction could be accomplished without damage to the sites. <br /> <br />The increased irrigation efficiencies expected with the SCS on-farm <br />improvements and the development of the Bureau plan will not further <br />deplete the water supply of the area. The operation, maintenance, and <br />replacement contract will include provisions for water conservation. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />{'I ;"'- ,; r"~ ' <br />,) t If I-I <br /> <br />23 <br />