WSP03239

• File Number: 8040.100
• Description: Section D General Studies - Power
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 10/8/1979
• Author: Colorado DNR
• Title: Preliminary Projections of Colorado Energy Resource Development and Associated Impacts
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The game species expected to be impacted most severely are shown in the following
table:

Species

State Population
Without Development

Number of Animals
Lost with Development

%
Loss

Deer
Elk
Antelope
Mountain Lion
Sage Grouse
Bighorn Sheep
Wild Turkey
Sharp-tailed Grouse

390,000
120,000
34,000
1,000
53,000
3,500
13 , 000
20,000

79,000
12,000
2,400
120
5,800
65
115
2,000

20%
10
7
12
11
2
1
10

Fisheries--There will be a trade-off between stream fisheries and lake
fisheries. Expected amounts are: cold water stream habitat will. shrink from
21,350 acres to 19,980, a 6% loss, cold water lake habitat will increase from
98,000 acres to 105,000 acres, an 8% gain. However, the new 7,500 acres will
be in reservoirs which will fluctuate and thus will not be quality fish habitat.

The nongame species expected to be impacted most severely are:

Greater Sandhill Crane - The numbers of this species could be
reduced by 60% in Colorado.

River Otter - This species is expected to be reduced from 200
animals to 190 in 1993, a 5% reduction.

Peregrine Falcon - A reduction from 40 to 34 birds in 1993 is
expected, a 15% loss.

Bald Eagle - Only two pair of bald eagles nest in Colorado. One
of these nesting pairs could be lost.

Blackfooted ferret - Unknown but very low populations of this
species will be adversely affected.

Colorado River Squawfish, Razorback Sucker, and Humpback Chub -
The habitat for these species is expected to shrink from 10,000
acres to about 6,400 acres, a .36% loss.

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The value of the long-term loss of wildlife in 1979 dollars is expected to
be about $112,000,000.

There are a number of problems associated with high level energy development.
Collisions between motor vehicles and big game on highways and county roads
will increase. The result will be more human injuries, property damage,
killed big game animals, and increased cost of highway construction to include
prevention structures. Maintaining reasonable minimum stream flows will
become difficult and costly. The same will be true of water quality.
Illegal hunting and fishing will increase in the vicinity of new boom towns.
There will be increases in the numbers of wildlife killed by free-running
domestic dogs. The demand for wildlife inventory information by consultants