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<br />go <br />co; <br />~ <br />c: <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES. Two special status fish species occur in the <br />project area. They are the spikedace (Meda fulgida) and the loach minnow <br />(Tiaroga cobitis). ---- <br /> <br />Both species have been proposed for listing as Federally threatened species. <br />There are also a number of state listed species in the project area. The <br />impacts and effects of the alternatives on these species will be displayed <br />by loss of habitat. Impacts to the special status fish species will be <br />displayed by loss of river miles of proposed critical habitat in the <br />reservoir pools and by impacts to the fish downstream of the project. <br /> <br />NATIVE FISH. This portion of the Gila River has one of the most intact <br />native fish populations in the Southwest. The effect of the alternatives on <br />the fish and their habitat will also be addressed. <br /> <br />SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS. Three special management areas are located in the <br />project area. They are the U.S. Forest Service Gila River Bird Habitat <br />Management Unit and Research Natural Area and Bureau of Land Management's <br />Gila Middle Box Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Areas that would <br />not be inundated but would incur indirect impacts include the Gila <br />Wilderness Area and lands administered by the Nature Conservancy. The <br />acreage loss and the impact on the present management of these areas will be <br />discussed. <br /> <br />VISUAL QUALITY <br /> <br />The alternative site areas are primarily undeveloped. The effect of the <br />alternatives on visual resources will be addressed. <br /> <br />CULTURAL RESOURCES <br /> <br />Many significant cultural resources sites are located within the project <br />area. They include both historic and prehistoric sites. <br /> <br />The effects of the alternatives on cultural resources will be addressed in <br />the EIS. The potential number and type of sites that would be effected will <br />be displayed for each alternatives. <br /> <br />FLOOD CONTROL <br /> <br />Flood control opportunities on the Gila River for the Duncan/Virden and <br />Safford areas from the alternatives will be discussed. Areas that could be <br />protected and the level of protection will be displayed. <br /> <br />GROUND WATER LEVELS <br /> <br />The different use options will result in different effects on ground water <br />overdraft. Projected overdraft levels will be discussed along with the <br />resultant ground water levels. <br /> <br />7 <br />