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Dallas Creek Project, Colorado (BR) -27- , deer per mile (by actual count) are being killed by deer-vehicle collision. Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists believe that they are recording only 50 percent of the actual loss in deer-vehicle collisions. An estimated 40 percent minimum to 200 percent maximum increase in these deer fatalities will occur because of the relocation of Highway 550. This would result in the loss of an additional 42 to 50 deer a year. Based upon a recent Colorado Division of Wildlife study, the average economic loss attributed to each collision amounts to $1150. To preclude this excessive deer loss mortality and its associated human hazard and property damage: (1) an alignment for the relocation of Highway 550 should be selected in an area with the least deer usage; (2) the highway segment should be fenced with eight-foot-high deer proof fencing; and (3) underpass structures should be designed to pass deer under the highway; and (4) one-way gates in fencing to pass deer off the highway right-of-way should be installed as necessary. Specific details of these proposals will be cooperatively established by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation. The costs associated with these proposals will be determined by the Bureau of Reclamation. In summary, the Dallas Creek Project would generally have detrimental impacts upon mule deer and nongame wildlife resources as the result of habitat lost through the change of use patterns. Flat-water fishing surface acreages, now abundant in the area, would increase with a resultant loss in surface acres of stream fishing. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife there would be shortage of 60,000 man-days annually of coldwater stream fishing by 1975. Significant environmental changes would occur in this valley area. Increased industrialization spurred by the project would bring about a population growth and residential expansion that would drastically alter the character of this generally rural area. Those problems associated with this alteration, air pollution, water pollution, etc., would become more prevalent. ! Recommendations: , The 1. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that: The Ridgway Reservoir outlet works be designed with a dual-level water release capability that would enable the regulation of water temperature and quality in the downstream Uncompahgre River and