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<br />Under the Environmental Impact statement for the McElmo Creek <br />Salinity Control Unit, HSIrs and HUV's were to be calculated for the <br />following evaluation species: mule deer, mallard, ring-necked pheasant, <br />great-horned owl, yellow-breasted chatr montane vole and common snipe. <br />As agreed to at the last interagency meeting for species model review; <br />the mule deer model would be dropped, the meadow vole model would be <br />adopted in place of the montane vole, the yellow warbler would be <br />substituted for the yellow-breasted chat and the screech owl would be <br />substituted for the great-horned owl. It was felt by the group, that if a <br />particular model satisfactorily evaluated a cover type, even if the <br />species was uncommon in the area (but utilized the same cover type in <br />other areas), then a substitution was warranted. It was also agreed that <br />an additional model would be selected to evaluate cattail wetland habitat <br />(type 3 & 4). The marsh wren model has been selected and is presently <br />being modified (this model should be ready for review by early April). <br /> <br />The new list of models is as follows; mallard - winter, mallard - <br />nesting, pheasant, screech owlr meadow vole, yellow warbler, common snipe <br />and marsh wren. <br /> <br />Ten cover types have been selected for measurement and evaluation to <br />determine suitability for wildlife. These cover types are as follows: <br />Cropland (AC) , Annual Herbland (ANNHERB), Perennial Herbland (PERRERB), <br />Woodland (WOODY), Pasture and Hayland (AP), Native Rangeland (SSSB), <br />Orchards and Vinyards (AO), Palustrine Emergent Wetlands (PEM), Streams, <br />Rivers and Canals (RIVERSn), Lakesr Ponds and Reservoirs (LAKESn). <br /> <br />D. ADDITIONAL EVALUATIONS: <br /> <br />The Colorado SCS Wetland Evaluation Procedures is being used to track <br />changes in wetland habitat quality due to project implementation. A <br />summary of wetland impacts (+ or -) can be found in table 1. <br /> <br />E. TRACKING: <br /> <br />A tracking system has been developed to record cover types, wetland <br />values, HSIrs, HUVrs and wildlife mitigation practices. Attached is a <br />copy of the 1990 CRSC Wetland and wildlife Habitat Tracking sheet (see <br />table 2). This tracking system is presently being modified with the <br />assistance of the Colorado SCS field biologists and the Cortez Monitoring <br />Team Leader. We are in the process of developing a data base to <br />integrate and facilitate the tracking and recording requirements of each <br />salinity area. <br /> <br />An additional summary of qualitative and quantitative habitat impacts <br />is attached in exhibit 1. This document reflects existing and <br />anticipated (with plan implementation) conditions. <br /> <br />001971 <br />