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<br />, . <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />OJ ',t;';J <br /> <br />(8) During constr~ction, the streams have been and will be <br />diverted out of their natural channel, thereby creating an <br />opportunity to increase turbidity for several days. If <br />severe turbidity or construction wastes are inadvertently <br />introduced into surface water, aquatic ecosystems could be <br />adversely affected by suspended material, possible siltation <br />d~ring reproduction cycles, or the increased organic load. <br /> <br />(9) The dams and structures will be unnatural objects <br />introduced into relatively remote settings, thereby <br />detracting from the scenic values of the area. <br /> <br />(10) The diversion structures create a barrier in the <br />stream which will inhibit the upstream migration of fish <br />resulting in the establishment of separate populations of <br />fish above and below the diversion structures. In addition, <br />the structures will inhibit the rate of the stream in distri- <br />bution of aquatic organisms. Also, during the spring runoff, <br />the stream will lose some bottom scouring effect due to the <br />lower volume and velocity of the water downstream from the <br />diversion. D~ring periods of peak runoff, the natural <br />stream provides a flushing action on the gravel spawning <br />beds. Without this flushing action, silt accumulations <br />'. may occur causing fish eggs to die of suffocation. <br /> <br />b. Unique Impacts <br /> <br />(1) Increased traffic and noise associated with construction <br />and operation activities and new opportunity for human pene- <br />tration into relatively remote areas will probably displace <br />certain species of wildlife such as the Canada lynx (Lynx <br />canadensis) and the wolverine(Gulo gulo). These are with- <br />drawn species with a high sensitivity to the presence of <br />people. <br /> <br />(2) The true Colorado River cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki <br />pleuriticus) was discovered in North Cunningham Creek in <br />August 1972. Colorado Division of Wildlife personnel <br />obtained this species from the North Fork of Cunningham <br />Creek below the proposed diversion site during a cursory <br />two-day investigation of the collection system. Dr. Robert <br />Behnke of the Colorado Cooperative Fishery Unit in Ft. Collins <br />confirmed the identity of the species which is listed as <br />"status undetermined" by the Department of the Interior <br />(Dr. Robert Behnke, Fish and Wildlife Service, letter of <br />April 6, 1973). Dr. Behnke will s~ggest a revised Department <br />of Interior status of "threatened. II <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />IV-50 <br />