Laserfiche WebLink
<br />! <br /> <br />Implementation of the proposed plan for canal lining would affect <br />the canal-side marshlands. Affected wetland vegetation would be replaced <br />by native saltbush and greasewood and the composition of the area's wild- <br />life would respond according to the change in habitat. About 612 acres <br />of wetlands would be converted to other vegetative types. About 1,935 acres <br />would be reduced in quality. <br /> <br />The proposed plan includes measures for wildlife mitigation. About <br />2,100 acres of primarily riparian wetlands along the Gunnison and Uncompahgre <br />Rivers would be purchased by the United States for habitat replacement and <br />would probably be operated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br /> <br />Socioeconomic impacts of the project are expected to be minor. <br />Construction of the unit is expected to begin at about the time construc- <br />tion of the Dallas Creek Project is completed. Therefore, the adverse <br />economic impact upon the area expected at the end of construction for <br />Dallas Creek would be lessened with the beginning of construction of the <br />Lower Gunnison Basin Unit. <br /> <br />Water supplies will not be further depleted with development of the <br />recommended plan. The O&M contract will include provision for water con- <br />servation and assure that water conserved as a result of the unit devel- <br />opment will be used only on presently irrigated land in the Uncompahgre <br />Project are~ and only if its use will not add to the salinity levels of the <br />Uncompahgre River. <br /> <br />000921 <br /> <br />! <br />L <br /> <br />22 <br />