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1l0lh02 OMW A Selenium Remediation Project-Final Environmental Assessment 7 CHAPTER 1lI . AFFECTED ENVIRONMENTIENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES General The OMW A is located along the south bank of the Colorado River about 3 miles east of downtown Grand Junction, Colorado. The property is accessed from Mesa County C Road about 0.3 miles east of Mesa County 30 Road. The property was purchased in 1996 to replace wildlife habitat lost during the lining and piping of irrigation canals and laterals in the Grand Valley, and to protect endangered fish habitat. Lands surrounding the OMW A are private and agricultural in nalUre. Hay crop production and horse paslUre are the primary uses. The OMW A receives return flows from surrounding lands irrigated by water via the Orchard Mesa Canal part of the Grand Valley Project. Recreation Resources The OMW A is managed by Reclamation as a wildlife area and public access is limited to foot traffic. Waterfowl and big game hunting are regulated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The area receives limited recreational use because of restricted access and close proximity to residences. Recreation resources are not expected to be impacted by the Preferred Alternative. Land Use and Vel!etation The OMW A includes abOUI 153 acres of river boltornland at an average elevation of 4,600 feet. The area is managed as wildlife habitat for fish and wildlife. The area is surrounded by private agricultural lands. A wetlands delineation was conducled in July 1999 by Reclamation's Technical Service Center in Denver, Colorado (USBR 1999a). The delineation identified nine vegetation community types wilhin the OMW A. The community types are as follows: I. Upstream Bench 2. Upper (Dry) Drainage Ditch 3. Middle Drainage Ditch 4. Lower Drainage Ditch 5. Permanent and Semi-Permanent River Channel and Braids 6. Mature Riparian Woodlands 7. Salt Cedar-Cheatgrass Complex 8. High Flow Channel Complex 9. Spoil Pile