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<br />(n <br /> <br />oc:' <br />c: <br />'.-) <br />-,:':'} <br /> <br />Additional analysis of the data collected for the 1988 Annual M&E <br />Report show subtle changes in habitat types. Discounting the <br />change in habitat types due to idle farm ground, the monitoring <br />period initially indicates GVSP activities were responsible for an <br />increase in cropland of 26.0 acres, a decrease in other herbaceous <br />habitat types of 36.2 acres, and a decrease in wetland by 5.4 <br />acres. The activities accounted for a loss of around 10,124 feet <br />of edge, and a decrease in the diversity index by 1.0 percent. <br /> <br />It was estimated that rehabilitation accounted for an increase in <br />other herbaceous habitat types by 4.2 acres and a decrease in <br />cropland by the same 4.2 acres. The results of some USDA assisted <br />wildlife habitat development practices were also recorded during <br />the last monitoring unit visit. The practices accounted for a 2.1 <br />acre increase in perennial herbaceous vegetation and a 4.4 acre <br />increase in wetlands (Type 3). Habitat changes due to USDA <br />mitigation efforts are not included in the analysis of impacts <br />caused by on-farm irrigation systems. The net change in habitat <br />acreage due to SCS assisted activities (other than wildlife habitat <br />practices) was an increase of 21.8 acres of cropland, a decrease of <br />32.0 acres of other herbaceous habitat types and a decrease of 5.4 <br />acres of wetland. <br /> <br />On March 12, 1992, a meeting was held with the US Fish & Wildlife <br />Service, USBOR, and USDA representatives to discuss the progress of <br />the wildlife replacement program in the Grand Valley. <br /> <br />The SCS and Bureau representatives explained that there is a <br />different policy commitment under the CRSC program than under the <br />GVSP. The CRSC Program now has more ability to obtain the goal of <br />wildlife replacement acres. As a result of the meeting, the SCS <br />and USBOR representatives felt that with the CRSC Program, the <br />wildlife habitat replacement acre goal is attainable. The group <br />agreed to wait 5 years to see what happens before proceeding with <br />further assessment. <br /> <br />As a result of the March meeting, it was agreed that replacement <br />acres installed under the GVSP and GVSP-LTA programs will be <br />accepted in total. All the CRSC contracts would be entered into <br />the Wetland Wildlife Tracking system so their progress could be <br />followed. <br /> <br />The USDA, in cooperation with the USBOR and the US Fish and <br />Wildlife service, agreed to improve and develop 1200 acres of <br />permanent wildlife habitat in the Grand Valley. As of December 31, <br />1991, about 800 acres of wildlife habitat development or <br />improvements have been planned. About 381.5 acres were under the <br />GVSP and 418.5 acres are under the CRSC contracts. Of the 800 <br />acres planned, about 102 acres have been installed leaving about <br />1098 acres remaining. About 61.6 acres were installed under the <br />GVSP and about 40.4 acres were installed under the CRSC contracts <br />(see Appendix G). <br /> <br />35 <br />