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<br />0') <br />r--- <br />N <br />C,l <br />:-) <br /> <br />-' <br /> <br />CHAPTER IV <br /> <br />STAGE ONE DEVELOPMENT AND MONITORING <br /> <br />wildl i fe <br /> <br />Monitoring of wildlife and vegetation resources began in 1980 with <br /> <br />review of preproject aerial photography of the Stage One area. A <br /> <br />contract was awarded in 1981 to the Colorado Division of Wildlife to <br /> <br />monitor vegetation and wildlife habitat populations. Annual reports were <br /> <br />prepared in 1982 and 1983. <br /> <br />Postconstruction aerial photography will be <br /> <br />obtained in the suunner of 1983; and a final monitoring report will be <br /> <br />prepared by the Division in September 1984. <br /> <br />The effects of canal and lateral improvements are only now becoming <br /> <br />apparent. <br /> <br />The most obvious changes have resulted from the el iminat ion <br /> <br />of 34 miles of unlined ditches and associated vegetation and the clearing <br /> <br />of construction material sites and cross-drainage facilities. Vegetation <br /> <br />will return to these areas--particularly to material sites--to a limited <br /> <br />extent. <br /> <br />Lateral rights-of-way are being converted to agricultural uses <br /> <br />in many areas and a net loss of approximately 100 acres of edge vegeta- <br /> <br />tion is expected to occur. <br /> <br />In addition, losses of edge vegetation have <br /> <br />resulted along the 6.8 miles of lined canal. <br /> <br />The water supply for small marsh areas adjacent to the lined canal <br /> <br />have been eliminated and wetland plant species such as cattails and <br /> <br />willows are rapidly decreasing. <br /> <br />Changes in vegetation away from canals <br /> <br />and laterals are not apparent at this time, but the 1983 postproject <br /> <br />photography may indicate changes. <br /> <br />As expected, bird populations along laterals declined significantly <br /> <br />following construction; however, significant changes were not observed <br /> <br />in the overall Stage One area. <br /> <br />Major changes in bird populations were <br /> <br />noted in marsh areas adjacent to lined canals. <br /> <br />A 1 imi ted return of <br /> <br />26 <br />