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<br />n J2397 <br /> <br />". <br /> <br />that cultural sites would be impacted by construction, development and reclamation activities <br />related to energy development, and public users who subsequently use developments to gain <br />greater access to public lands previously only accessible on foot or horseback. On the negative <br />side, 0 & G development can be credited with the completion of numerous cultural inventories <br />and the discovery of numerous cultural sites, during compliance with Section 106 of the National <br />Historic Preservation Act. The cultural data base has been greatly expanded as a result of 0 & G <br />development. Precluding surface occupancy could result in fewer cultural sites being timely <br />identified, evaluated and protected through avoidance or mitigation. <br /> <br />Management Prescription #4 (Land/Mineral Withdrawal); Although there appears to be liule <br />potentia] for precious metal mining, precluding mining within the SRMA would have a generally <br />positive effect on cultural resources. Under this prescription there would be a reduced threat to <br />Cultural sites that could be impacted by exploration, construction development and reclamation, <br />and subsequent public users who use. developments to gain greater access to public lands not <br />previously accessible except on foot or horseback. <br /> <br />FLOODPLAINS, WETLANDS, RIPARIAN ZONES, AND ALLUVIAL VALLEYS <br />(Colorado Standards for Public Land Health. $tnndard #2 and wetl;ind vegct.:l.tion information for Swnd.ll.rd #3) <br /> <br />Affected Environment: <br />The Colorado River public land sections were inventoried by the BLM for stream and riparian <br />conditions in 1976 and 1980. In 1993, the Colorado Heritage Program inventoried the entire <br />river corridor for riparian conditions. Within the proposed SRMA, much of the river's riparian is <br />bordered by roads and the railroad. Natural flows have been drastically altered with several <br />upstream dams and major transbasin diversions. The river channel has been fonned for these <br />larger historic flows and in many places is wide and shallow under current flows. Upstream <br />from Gore Canyon, the river crosses a wide alluvial floodplain that is mostly irrigated fannland. <br />This irrigation has maintained some small sloughs and wetland vegetation away from the riparian <br />zone itself. Riparian vegetation is dominated by clumped narrow leaf couonwood communities, <br />and willows. Downstream from the canyon, the riparian zone generally narrows as the river is <br />more confined. Riparian vegetation is dominated by sandbar willows on the banks and <br />dogwood, alder, and ponderosa pine within the floodplain. Due to the water diversions, much of <br />the floodplain currently used for recreation sites is a historic floodplain, and even under 3,000 cfs <br />flows, are no longer flooded. The Upper Colorado River within the proposed SRMA boundaries <br />is considered to be meeting standard #2 and in proper functioning condition considering the <br />altered hydrology. <br /> <br />Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action: <br />Management Prescription #1 (Boundary Adjustment): By simply expanding the SRMA. these <br />resources would not be affected, nor the ability to meet standards affected. There would be no <br />impact to floodplains or flood hazard or wetland resources. A SRMA designation implies that <br />the BLM would intensively manage the area for recreation uses. This management, if it employs <br />best management practlces, can help mitigate the impacts of already occurring recreational use. <br />Regardless of the boundary, it is specific land actions that could impact these areas. Federal laws <br />require protection for wetland areas and BLM policy promotes riparian protection, but increased <br />recreational use along the river corridor impacts riparian communities as trails are created, soil <br />compacted, and exotic plants are spread. If additIonal private lands are acquired in the SRJI,1A, <br /> <br />12 <br />