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<br />F. FIELD DATA: <br /> <br />During the 1990 field season, 9 CRSC contracts were cover type mapped <br />and habitat data was collected to run HSI calculations. To date this is <br />expected on all contracts. A comparison may then be made (once the <br />contract has expired and all salinity control practices have been <br />implemented) to show any habitat changes. As stated above table 1 <br />reflects a comparison of baseline information with anticipated planned <br />conditions. <br /> <br />G. MONITORING PLAN: <br /> <br />Initially the McElmo Creek EIS planned for 15 CRSC contracted <br />operating units to be selected each year for 3 years (for a total of 45 <br />units) for monitoring habitat changes. These would then be evaluated at <br />3 year intervals. Since only 9 units were contracted during the first <br />year, this goal may take longer to achieve. As it stands we are tracking <br />all changes on every contract which duplicates operating unit monitoring. <br />Baseline data is available in table 1. Beginning in 1991, we may start <br />observing and recording actual changes. <br /> <br />H. OFF-SITE MONITORING: <br /> <br />It was decided that monitoring off-site (or off-farm) habitat impacts <br />was necessary. As stated in the Lower Gunnison Monitoring Report, <br />establishing permanent vegetative transects appears to be the most <br />effective way to capture subtle changes. However, we also feel that this <br />form of monitoring needs to be extensive in order to achieve a <br />statistically correct evaluation. The time and effort required to <br />accomplish this task far exceeds our staffing capacity and time <br />allotment. <br /> <br />At a Salinity Program biologist meeting in Denver, it was agreed that <br />each salinity office would use high-reSOlution, low altitude, infrared <br />photography (on a portion of the project area) at three year intervals <br />for observing possible off-site alterations to wetland habitat. For the <br />MeElmo Creek Unit the cost will be minimal so the whole unit will be <br />flown beginning this year. <br /> <br />One problem which has surfaced in the Me Elmo Creek unit is <br />differentiating those wetland impacts attributed to CRSC contract <br />implementation from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (U.S.B.R.) canal <br />rehabilitation impacts. It is our intention to corne up with a reasonable <br />method of segregating these impacts through projected efficiency <br />percentages for both on-farm (SCS) and off-farm (U.S.B.R.) activities. <br /> <br />0('1972 <br />