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<br />influence. This populntiDn is locate,. generally to the east and northeast
<br />of the project site. Hew lU'bf.ll1 developments arc prenently encroachi ng
<br />on the proposed proj~ct site from the north, eaot and south. There is
<br />a large mobile home,conmunity located within the proposed project boundary
<br />just outside of the conservation pool border. There are also several
<br />farmsteads and private residences within the project boundary. In
<br />addition, there RrC ~e'ernl small businesses such as a gas station
<br />and a cafc on the e1'ee,1: bl\nks.
<br />
<br />The Be'll' Creek pl'p,ket. sitc is located on the es.st slope of the
<br />Rocky Hountr.in Fr~>I::' r:rllS,~ just two miles east of the Dakota Hogback.
<br />This hogback is a I'H,,,,'lncnt ddge and provides a scenic setting of
<br />outstlUldinfl: value. IlOl'nt Carbon, at the southeast edge of the project,
<br />'is An alluvial depon!t ~hich rises some 225 feet above the proposed
<br />lake level. It could r~ovide a strategic location for overlooking
<br />the project nnd the ~~c~htlls.
<br />
<br />The dow1l3t.renr., ,."ocho." of Bear and Turkey Creeks provide only
<br />mnrginai hl\bit.nt for [1:h because of heavy irrigation demands and
<br />periodic floodiPG. "n" sruall populations of trout, chubs and suckers
<br />malle the present ri :,\~J.J rCSDurce insignificant. Wildlife in the area
<br />includes ml"',:' cine; d,wrs, cottontnil rabbits, pheasants and a few
<br />migrating mallards ~,d other waterfowl. Other animal populations are
<br />insignificBnt. Wildlife habitat in the project area consists of
<br />growths of large cot tOlwoods and an understory of alders, villOW's,
<br />boxelder, wild 1'0""', grasses and forbs.
<br />
<br />Clo..v, c:oal nnd r.,."vel deposits have been heavily exploited
<br />vi thin the project ...rea. There are many old, ab8Ildoned coal I!lines
<br />,in the vicinity of the proposed reservoir. These have left scars oa
<br />the landsco:>e ond ,'(;\u(l require capping and perhaps some grading or
<br />lllI'd slls?in" bcfore the pro,1ect could be completed. '
<br />
<br />Wi thin ~h." propo"ecl project area, there are irrigation C!lIlals.
<br />telephone lir.cs, trOJ1"'Jission lines, p'B6 lines and htghw~s that vould
<br />have to be reloc~ted upon project implementation.
<br />
<br />The Morrison municipal sewage treatment plant is situated on
<br />the north bank of Bcar Creek just below Morrison and about 2 miles
<br />upstream from the ~roponcd reservoir. Interstate 470, a six-lane
<br />Denver metropoliton "bcltline" freew~ is under study for possible
<br />location in the pro.iect area. The probable location for this highv~
<br />vill be betveen Jolt, 0,',."nnon ond the Soda Lakes.
<br />
<br />The majority of floods on Bear Creek have been flashfloods.
<br />typical of mountain streams. 'However, general rains ,on snovpack
<br />in the mountains produce floods of larger volume and 'longer duration.,
<br />
<br />III. The environmen1;,u.1 l'''l't\ct of the proposed action.
<br />
<br />A. Identific"~,l.,,!, of environmental impt\cts.
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