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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />02C22 <br /> <br />species also find ample aquatic habitat to thrive. No coldwater <br />species exist here, but examples of warmwater types are: channel cat- <br />fish and bullheads, sunfish, some walleye and smallmouth bass, carp, <br />and varieties of small forage fishes. Beaver, raccoon, skunk, bad- <br />ger, muskrat, coyotes and fox make up the preponderance of furbearers <br />and varmints frequently sighted. Of the raptors seen, marsh hawks, <br />greathorned owls, sparrow hawks, and an occasional golden eagle are <br />most common. <br /> <br />C. Cultural Description <br /> <br />Durirg earlier periods of time both the above described properties <br />were influenced by historic indian tribes. Occasional evidence of <br />such use may periodically be found in the form of arrowheads, stone <br />corn grinders, etc., but nothing of major archaeological significance <br />has been noted. There has been an unconfirmed report of some small <br />indian writings in the southern portion of the Dean property along <br />the Purgatoire River, but this has not been verified. No other <br />buildings or structures exist on either property which can be con- <br />sidered of historical or archaeological significance. <br /> <br />D. Lease Descriptions <br /> <br />Under the terms of the trade agreement, Mr. Dean has agreed to let a <br />perpetual lease for public hunting and fishing on the Setchfield pro- <br />perty. This, of course, would continue to allow the sportsman the <br />continued use of the wildlife benefits described in sections A & B of <br />this assessment. Additionally, Mr. Dean has agreed to open 6,000 <br />additional acres of his irrigated farmland and open rangeland to pub- <br />lic use. This area lies to the north of the town of Las Animas, and <br />provides good habitat for all of the species described in sections A <br />& B of this report. This lease agreement would be in effect for a <br />period of 10 years. <br /> <br />IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />There will be certain environmental changes if the Setchfield property is <br />exchanged or disposed of. The disposal of the property will be discussed in <br />Alternative A. The consequences resulting from the disposal will be the same <br />for Alternatives A and C. <br /> <br />A. Alternative A - Trade the Setchfield property for 920 acres of land on the <br />Purgatoire River, and a 20 acre shooting range site north of Las Animas, <br />plus a 10 year hunting lease on 6,000 acres along the Arkansas River. <br /> <br />1. Physical Impacts: The Setchfield property, located in an arid por- <br />tion of southeastern Colorado, is primarily used for livestock graz- <br />ing. The area is now under excange of use agreement and is moder- <br />ately grazed. A breached dam is on the property. <br /> <br />The physical condition of the area will change very little. Grazing <br />may become somewhat heavier during drought periods, but the proposed <br />new owner has a reputation of carrying out good range management <br />practices. The condition of the land under succeeding owners cannot <br />be predicted. <br />