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<br />After the water is pumped from these wells into the recharge ponds further from the river <br />in the upland areas, seepage from these ponds into the groundwater aquifer will increase <br />groundwater elevations. These elevated groundwater levels will extend all the way back to <br />the river causing increased return flows into the ,river channel. The riparian meadow areas <br />between the river and the upland areas where th~ recharge ponds exist will experience <br />elevated water tables with the resulting establish/Dent of wetland characteristics. The <br />enhanced wetland functionality resulting from these higher water tables under the riparian <br />meadows will be utilized in creating wetland complexes. Wetlands in the riparian meadows <br />will provide nesting and brood habitat for numerous waterfowl. <br /> <br />i <br />!", <br /> <br />As the hydrologic analysis in Appendix A shows"these wells will pump mainly to the <br />recharge ponds during the late fall, winter, and early spring periods. Wetlands are created <br />around these recharge ponds and the warm groundwater supplied by the wells provides <br />open water surface at the recharge ponds which ~reates a suitable environment and resting <br />areas for waterfowl during migration and wintering. The increased return flows of warm <br />groundwater enlarges and enhances the warm water slough areas along tbe river on these <br />state wildlife areas providing more waterfowl habitat. The increased return flows to the <br />slough areas along the river channels also maintains and promotes these habitats as an <br />essential and natural part for the preservation of, minnow species of concern. <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />VEGETATION <br /> <br />Construction activities that would cause disturbance to vegetation include instalhition of <br />wells and excavlltion of pipeline trenches. Potential impacts may also occur as the result of <br />soil compaction and/or the crushing of individual plants by machinery. Since the vegetation <br />to be impacted is not unique to the area, but similar to surrounding plant communities, <br />these impacts would not be considered significant. Re-contouring the disturbed sites with <br />the surrounding topography and seeding with apvropriate native grasses will help . <br />minimize impacts. Disturbed areas will provide t~e opportunity for tall annual plants like <br />wild sunflowers to grow until grasses are established. These plants would be considered <br />desirable for some wildlife species like bobwbite quail and pheasants. At the new pond <br />sites, plant species composition will change as the area becomes more mesic. Wetland type <br />plants will replace upland species. Exact changes in plant composition will be dependent on <br />the amount and timing of water deposited at each site. Changes to the soil over time will <br />also affect plant species. This conversion from grllssland to wetland is considered to be a <br />benefit to wildlife and a positive aspect of the project. <br /> <br />FISH AND WILDLIFE <br /> <br />Potential negative impacts to wildlife during the construction ofthe project consist of <br />temporary disturbances and include increased noise and activity levels. There will be a <br />temporary displacement of wildlife from the vicinity of the construction sites. These <br />impacts will not be significant or have any effects ~m the viability of any local wildlife <br />population. <br /> <br />13 <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />