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. ~ C) l0 ~u. . . A study team consisting of FWS, CDOW, and Reclamation have established goals for replacing or mitigating losses. Goals include replacing wetland types in place with same values and functions; avoiding creation of new water quality problems in wetland replacement; acquiring and developing replacement areas that are manageable; and keeping habitat replacement concurrent with construction of salinity control features. Preliminary discussions of wetland values and functions has led the study team to propose that major values are provided for wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and recreation. The wetlands have other hydrologic functions such as water quality control and flood protection, but values are thought to be very low. While a major goal is to replace wetland functions and values in the same area as losses occur, the study team recognizes that several factors may make this impractical in the final plan. First, development of new wetlands in the immediate area of impact would conflict with salinity control goals if they were to create new areas of recharge to the underlying saline soils and formations. Second, in some areas wetlands developed on the Mancos Shale formation or obtaining water from this formation create other water quality problems, including development of selenium concentrations. Development of habitat replacement in the area of impact would lead to significant management problems because they are scattered throughout privately-owned agricultural lands. The long-term protection of habitat lands may not be possible under these conditions. Another overall goal of wetland management is to replace wetland types with the same type. In this specific case where artificial wetlands are being replaced, the study team has discussed the value of replacing certain types, for example salt grass, by creating or restoring river bottom wetlands. The river bottom wetlands are natural to the area and have been shown in many studies to have extremely high values to wildlife. In addition, they have high values for aesthetics and recreation. The FWS will prepare a draft Coordination Act Report in August 1992 with draft recommendations for incorporation into the Draft SO/JU Study report. At the present time, several assumptions can be, made to arrive at preliminary impact assessment and replacement plans. A loss of wetlands directly associated with laterals and canals can be anticipated. Replacement wetlands can be created provided an adequate land and water base can be acquired. For purposes of this interim report, a generalization is used that up to 3 acres of land may be needed to create 1 acre of wetland on the average. The following table summarizes habitat replacement requirements for plan components based on these assumptions. 15