WSP04959

• File Number: 8460.500
• Description: Platte River Recovery Plan
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 8/3/1999
• Author: Colo Div of Wildlife
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment for the Tamarack Managed Groundwater Recharge Project at Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area and Pony Express State Wildlife Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

is the primary form of public use on both properties. Current demands for public hunting
on the TRSW A are such that a reservation system that limits hunter numbers and locations
has been adopted. A small pond on TRSW A has: historically been stocked by the CDOW
with warm-water and cold-water Sportfish to p~ovide fishing opportunities during the
spring and summer. Non-consumptive wildlife r~creationists use the SW As mainly in the
spring and fall to watch and photograph wildlife, especially bird species.

LAND USE

Prior to CDOW ownership (1949), TRSWA was used for grazing and farming operations.
Today, approximately 650 acres of irrigated far~land is still being used to produce small-
grain food plots or used to support trees, shrubs; and grasses for wildlife habitat. South of
U.S. Interstate 76, approximately 1000 acres of short grass prairie have been interseeded
with warm season grasses to provide nesting and brood cover for greater prairie chickens.
Between the main access road and the interstate, five ponds have been constructed to
provide habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. Both SW As are used and managed
primarily for wildlife habitat and wildlife. There, are no future plans to change from the
current uses of the properties.

There are no Prime or Unique Farmland on the tRSW A or PESW A. A copy of the NRCS
clearance for prime and unique farmlands is included in Appendix D.

FLOOD PLAINS AND WETLANDS

The Army Corps of Engineers delineated the floQdplain for the South Platte River in Logan
and Sedgwick Counties in June of 1977. The floojlplain width in the vicinity of the TRSW A
is approximately 11,200 feet wide with a channel ;capacity at the 100 year flood stage of
70,000 cfs. i

In May of 1998 representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers and CDOW toured the
project locations to determine if there were any wetlands within the project boundaries.
No wetlands were identified on the TRSW A within the project boundaries. There were
wetlands identified on the PESW A. See Appendi~ E.

CULTURAL RESOURCES

An archaeological survey of TRSW A and PESW ~ was conducted by Centennial
Archaeology, Inc. in October of 1997. (Appendix m The survey included the sites of 41
proposed ponds, 11 well locations, and 10.51 miles of pipeline and/or power line right-of-
ways. Three historic sites were recorded: no prehistoric materials were found. The two sites
at the TRSW A consisted of segments of the Overlllnd Trail and Tamarack Ditch. The
single site at PESW A was a segment of an uniden~ified ditch. The conclusion of the
inventory was the project would not have any impacts on the identified sites and therefore
recommended clearance for all water control faciiities.

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