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I, I , , I , I' I' I t I, I' I ,I ,1 I 1 I I ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TITLE TRANSFER OF SELECTED COLORADO- BIG THOMPSON PROJECT WATER F ACILIllES TO THE NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSER V ANCV DISTRJCT heavily grazed. A small section of the Dixon Feeder Canal is bordered by foothills shrubland characterized by mountain mahogany (Cercacarpus mantanus) and needlegrass (Stipa comata), The Dixon Feeder Canal is characterized by a narrow, rocky channel bordered by dry prairie grasses. The Charles Hansen Supply Canal and North Poudre Supply Canal are characterized by an unvegetated trapezoidal channel with steep sides, typically annored with concrete. Prairie vegetation typically grows up to the edge of the canals, with no riparian vegetation present. In several places, the canals cross natural drainages with wetland and riparian vegetation. These drainages include Empire Gulch, Lewstone Creek, the Cache la Poudre River, Park Creek, and a tributary to Park Creek. These drainages are bordered by riparian vegetation including cottonwood (Populus deltoides), willows (Salix amygdaloides and S exigua), and wetland herbaceous species such as sedges (Carex sp.), rushes (Juncus sp.), and forbs, Proposed Action There would be no change in the operation or management of the canals. Regular maintenance activities would continue as at present. There would be no change to the vegetation resource currently present at the site, No Action Alternative If the title to the selected water facilities were retained by the United States, there would be no change to regular maintenance activities or to the vegetation. Wildlife Habitat Numerous wildlife species occur near the facilities proposed for transfer. However, the canals themselves provide little benefit to wildlife, The canals lack significant vegetation and the Charles Hansen Supply Canal and North Poudre Supply Canal are annored with concrete for much of their lengths. 17