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<br />14, State-LIsted Endangered and Threatened Species. There are no known State of Colorado <br />endangered or threatened specles wlthln the proJect area. The State of Nebraska lists three <br />migratory species: bald eagle, least tern, and whooping crane as occurring on the Platte <br />River in central Nebraska. The NGPC (Nebraska Game and Parks Commission) has requested spe- <br />cific flow regimes for these species (see chapter V). <br /> <br />15. Social Factors. Approximately 725 residents of the communities of Weldona, Goodrich, and <br />Orchard and the surrounding rural area within the reservoir acquisition boundary would be <br />relocated. This would involve approximately 231 occupied households. Eight businesses, two <br />post offices, and two churches would also be acquired, as would the Weldon Valley School <br />facilities located in Weldona: Thirty graves from Riverview Cemetery would also require' <br />relocation. <br /> <br />C. Environmental and Recreation Features <br /> <br />1. Fish and Wildlife Plan <br /> <br />As an integral component of the proposed plan, 6,758 acres (2,736 ha) of single purpose lands <br />would be acquired in fee title to help mitigate the loss of fish and wildlife habitat. <br /> <br />A conceptual wildlife management plan has been developed through the combined efforts of the <br />Bureau, FWS, and Colorado Division of Wildlife personnel. Th-e major emphasis of this plan <br />centers around the intensive management within the fish and wildlife mitigation and other <br />project lands for waterfowl. This plan envisions a system of waterfowl islands, dikes, and <br />feeding areas in the upper end of the conservation pool (appendix B). These diked areas would <br />be supplied with water utilizing a system of ditches and laterals. Additional components of <br />the plan consist of nesting structures and feeding fields. Upland game and big game habitat <br />would be developed in 160-acre (65-ha) increments that would be subdivided into nesting cover, <br />weedy cover, WOOdy cover, food plots, and dusting and display areas. A fish hatchery would be <br />built immediately downstream of the Narrows Dam site on a 120-acre (49-ha) site. This hatChery <br />would be for a warm-water fishery and cold-water rearing unit. <br />2. Recreation Plan <br />To provide for the anticipated public use, approximately 1,340 acres (543 ha) of land would be <br />acquired specifically for recreation. In addition, approximately 1,878 acres (760 ha) of land <br />acquired for Bureau project uses would be used for recreational purposes. Recreational <br />facilities would include access roads, parking areas, boat-launching ramps, landing docks, <br />picniC areas, camping units, sanitary facilities, water supply, shelters, administrative areas, <br />landscaping, and signs. <br />Additionally, 13,189 acres (5,340 ha) of water in the conservation pool would be available for <br />water-oriented recreation to include sailboating, canoeing, hunting, and fishing. <br /> <br />D. Alternative Plans <br />Four additional alternatives were evaluated in the 1976 FES. These plans are included for <br />cont i nuity. <br />1. No Action Alternative <br />The "no action" alternative would result in the least environmentally damaging and socially- <br />disruptive plan. However, irrigation and municipal and industrial water shortages would still <br />exist together with a lac'k of recreational opportunities in this section of northeastern <br />Colorado. This alternative would not assist in al levi ating seasonal water shortages or in <br />stabilizin~ the highly water-dependent agricultural economy. <br />2. Ground-Water Development Alternative <br />While there is a considerable volume of ground water in the underlying alluvial material <br />adj acent to the South Pl atte Ri ver, there are a number of factors that i nhi bit a large deve 1- <br />opmental increase in this resource to meet the stated project needs. Currently, surface <br />and ground water are in a state of equilibrium. Additional ground-water pumping would cause a <br />decline in underground flows with a resultant decline in surface water flow in the South Platte <br />River. Some recharge of the aquifer would occur during high water flows, but over time the <br />aquifer would be severely depleted. <br />3. Weld County (Hardin) Dam and Reservoir <br />This alternative damsite would be located 9.5 mi (15.3 km) west of the Weld and Morgan County <br />line. <br /> <br />5-3 <br /> <br />~ <br />