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<br />Summary <br /> <br />Development Program <br /> <br />A schedule for completing the East Side Laterals Project has been developed <br />encompassing a lO-year period with construction expenditures averaging <br />$5 to 6 million per year. Prior to construction of the pipelines, the following <br />would be required: <br /> <br />. Increase through congressional action the salinity control program <br />expenditure ceiling and appropriate construction funding. <br /> <br />l <br />~ <br />I <br />1 <br />1 <br />J <br />i <br />,1 <br />I <br />-I <br />J <br />I <br />,J <br />i <br />~ <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />. Execute a construction cooperative agreement, detailing the <br />responsibilities of Reclamation funding and UVWUA construction of the <br />piped laterals and canals. <br /> <br />. Procure a long-term pipe supply contract(sl from a commercial pipe <br />supplier(s) or construct a concrete pipe plant. <br /> <br />. Prepare detailed designs and specifications based on meetings and <br />agreements with landowners. Obtain rights-of-way from landowners. <br /> <br />. Conduct cultural resources surveys of the planned pipe alignments <br />and other areas to be disturbed. <br /> <br />· Begin acquisition and development of mitigation lands under the <br />Habitat Replacement Plan. <br /> <br />Environmental Considerations <br /> <br />The u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) cited the major impact to fish and <br />wildlife resources associated with the project as the loss of wetland habitat <br />associated with piping laterals and canals. Another concern is the loss of <br />open water when laterals and canals are placed underground. Another <br />significant issue is loss of mature cottonwood trees along the laterals and <br />canals due to construction clearing or seepage loss. Based on inventory <br />data, Reclamation has estimated wetland and prism habitat losses at <br />539 acres and has tabulated and locate<l 760 mature cottonwood trees that <br />could be lost. <br /> <br />While an important goal was to replace wetland functions and values in the <br />same area as losses occur, the study team recognized several limiting <br />factors. First, development of new wetlands in the immediate area of <br />impact would conflict with salinity control goals if the wetlands were to <br />create new areas of recharge to the underlying saline soils and formations. <br />Second, in some areas, developing wetlands on the Mancos Shale Formation <br />or obtaining water from this formation creates other water quality <br />problems, including development of selenium concentrations. In addition, <br />developing numerous habitat replacement areas in the immediate location <br />of impact would lead to significant management problems because these <br /> <br />8-4 <br />