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<br />I <br />I <br />I. <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />a <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT <br />T1TI..E TRANSFER OF SELECTED COLORADO-BIG THOMPSON PROJECT WATER <br />FACILITIES TO THE NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT <br /> <br />the federal action. Routine federal actions with minor effects on the environment can be <br /> <br />categorically excluded from the NEP A process. Many actions associated with the <br /> <br /> <br />operation, maintenance, and repair of the facilities proposed for title transfer have been <br /> <br />categorically excluded from NEPA documentation. Many of the C-BT facilities have <br /> <br /> <br />reached or are approaching the 50-year age threshold for being considered for historic <br /> <br />eligibility, The District will need to address historic resources as part of the title transfer <br /> <br /> <br />(see Cultural Resources). The title transfer from Reclamation to the District likely will <br /> <br /> <br />have little or no effect on future requirements for NEP A documentation because the <br /> <br /> <br />operation, maintenance, and repair of the facilities currently is categorically excluded <br /> <br /> <br />from the NEP A process and the District has agreed to work with Reclamation to address <br /> <br />historic resource issues associated with the transfer of facilities from federal stewardship. <br /> <br />Endangered Species Act <br /> <br />The proposed title transfer will not affect federally listed species or their habitats. <br /> <br /> <br />There will be no change in the operation or management of the facilities proposed for title <br /> <br />transfer, Regular maintenance and repair activities would continue as at present. <br /> <br />Transfer of title from Reclamation to the District may affect the status of protection <br /> <br />under ESA for federally listed species that could be affected by facility operations, <br /> <br /> <br />maintenance, and repair. Under Section 7 ofESA, federal agencies are required to <br /> <br />consult with FWS to address the potential effects of their actions on federally listed <br /> <br />species, Iftitle for the facilities is transferred to the District, activities subject to federal <br /> <br /> <br />authorizations (e,g" Section 404 pennitting) would still potentially require a Section 7 <br /> <br /> <br />consultation, Some operation, maintenance, and other activities may no longer be subject <br /> <br />to the Section 7 consultation requirements because Reclamation will no longer have <br /> <br />federal stewardship and oversight responsibilities. These activities, however, would still <br /> <br /> <br />be subject to Section 9 of ESA, which prohibits the take of federally listed species. <br /> <br />Therefore, federally listed species would continue to be protected from the effects of <br /> <br /> <br />future activities involving the operation, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of <br /> <br />facilities, to the extent that the title transfer eliminates any federal control. <br /> <br />12 <br />