WSP03031

• File Number: 8543
• Description: Closed Basin Division
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 6/1/1981
• Title: Fish and Wildlife Plan - Closed Basin Division - San Luis Valley Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Table 8
Water Used in Mitigation of Project Effects

Wetlands and
vegetation
improved
(acres)

Alamosa NWR

4,374
wetlands
3,485
vegetation

Water
required
(acre-ft/yr)

4,500

Source
of
water

800

Conveyance
channel
Transferred
water rights*

Blanca WHA

198
wetlands
410
vegetation

800

Conveyance
channel
Water rights on
W. 1/2 sec. 4,
T. 38 N.,
R. 12 E

307

Total

4,572
wetlands
3,895
vegetation

5,300

Conveyance
channel
Water rights

1,107

*, In fee acquisition of Emperious Estate lands (2,040 acres) with
appurtenant water rights. About 800 acre-feet of adjudicated
water right transferred to Alamosa NWR by change in point of use.

B. Vegetation

Approximately 11,098 acres of land within the project boundaries could
experience a varying degree of reduction in plant vigor and density due to
pumping drawdown of the existing water table. The effect on vegetation will be
most severe in the immediate vicinity of the individual pump well location;
however, the effect will also occur in areas of very shallow water tables. The
FWS has determined that the 11,098 acres are in the "Resource Category 3"
classification based on recent mitigation policy rulemaking (Federal Register,
September 9, 1980, and January 23, 1981).

"Resource Category 3" lands are basically defined to be "of high value for
important species" and are "relatively abundant in the ecoregions of concern."
Replacement of these lands should be accomplished so that there is no net loss
of total habitat value. It is not necessary, however, to replace habitat losses
with the same kind of habitat.

14