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<br />,!i'I(j "i.~ 1, S <br />I) '- - Affected Environment & Consequences <br /> <br />3-36 <br /> <br />Impacts to riparian woodlands from ground water changes are difficult to predict. In <br />many areas along the river, the change (increase) in ground water elevation is expected to <br />be less than a foot. A change of this magnitude is not likely to produce significant <br />impacts. However, in other areas, the ground water elevations may increase as much as <br />1.5 feet, which could lead to long-term effects to local vegetation, including cottonwoods <br />(if present). Over the long-run, recruitment of cottonwoods mayor may not be adversely <br />effected and established cottonwood trees may be lost due to increased ground water <br />levels. The Sponsors have proposed a plan to monitor cottonwood vegetation and <br />provide settling mitigation if an adverse effect is observed (See Appendix A). <br /> <br />3.9.3 <br /> <br />Endangered Plants <br /> <br />The endangered clay-loving wild buckwheat (Eriogonum pelinophilum) is the only listed <br />plant species inhabiting the project area. Suitable habitat for this species appears to be <br />scattered in patches throughout a 2- to 3-mile wide band that extends at least 30 miles <br />north to south between Delta and Montrose, on elevations ranging from 5,180 to 6,240 <br />feet. In a survey of the penstock route, Mariah and Associates (1987b) documented <br />approximately 435 plants in small, scattered locations within and adjacent to the penstock <br />route, <br /> <br />Two plants that are candidates for official listing as threatened or endangered also occur <br />in western Colorado: adobe penstemon (Penstemon retrorsus) and adobe desert parsley <br />(Lomatium concinnum) (USFWS 1987). Field surveys by Mariah and Associates (1986 and <br />1987b) failed to locate the desert parsley in the penstock route, but the penstemon was <br />found in approximately the same locations as the clay-loving buckwheat. <br /> <br />3.9.3.1 <br /> <br />No Action <br /> <br />Habitat for these plants would continue to be lost to housing development and expansion <br />of motorized recreation. <br /> <br />3.9.3.2 Development Alternatives <br /> <br />Less than 1 percent of the total known population of clay-loving wild buckwheat would <br />be impacted during construction of the penstock. Special construction techniques in this <br />area would be imposed to reduce impacts and off-site conservation measures to protect <br />other populations would be implemented. <br /> <br />AS Lateral Hydropower Project <br /> <br />July 2000 <br /> <br /> <br />I <br />'I <br />!: <br /> <br />,~ <br /> <br />'I <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />,'t:;Ji <br />" ,', ",,';;:<" <br />, _oii,__-<..Ari.., _:::.__~._~<S\ <br /> <br />"-~ ,-'-'. <br />